Tributes to former Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor following death
Sheila Pitt passed away just two days after celebrating her 90th birthday
Tributes have been paid to a former Council Leader and Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, following her death.
Sheila Pitt passed away on Sunday (10th November), two days after celebrating her 90th birthday.
Sheila was first elected to Stoke-on-Trent City Council in 2004 to represent the then Berryhill and Hanley East Ward until 2008.
She later went on to represent the Bentilee and Ubberley Ward from 2011 until retiring from the role in May 2023.
She was elected as the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent in 2013 and, during her year of office, raised money for two charities that were very close to her heart – the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and the British Cardiac Patients Association.
An "incredible individual"
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “Sheila Pitt was a determined and passionate councillor, who served Stoke-on-Trent on and off for nearly two decades. When she stood down in May 2023, she said she felt privileged to have been able to represent the people of Bentilee and Ubberley and I’m sure residents living in those areas feel just as privileged to have had her represent them for 12 years.
“Sheila was a remarkable woman. She was well-respected and her fortitude and kindness will have touched all who knew her. She will be sorely missed.”
Councillor Lyn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing and ward councillor for Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend, said: “Sheila was a very good friend and Labour colleague. I was privileged to have her support when I won the bi-election in September 2022, and she was always at the end of the phone if I needed advice.
“We had been singing in the choir at Stoke Minster since last July and afterwards we always shared a cup of tea whilst Sheila wanted to hear all the news and gossip. I shall miss her but feel better for knowing her.”
Councillor Ross Irving, Conservative councillor for Meir Hay, Park Hall and Weston Coyney, said: “I knew Sheila very well, from when she was first elected to the council. She was a real lady. She was adventurous and was still visiting her family members in Malaysia until well into her 80s. She was a good councillor, she was great fun and just a really enjoyable person to be around.”
Councillors will be invited to observe a minute silence in tribute to Sheila Pitt during December’s full council meeting on Thursday 5 December.
Sheila Pitt was born in Hanley and lived in Stoke-on-Trent for most of her life.
She attended St John’s Primary School, Hanley, where she passed her Eleven Plus examination enabling her to attend Brownhills Grammar School for girls. She left school at 16 to work in a solicitor’s office as junior clerk.
After studying shorthand and typing she was able to gain a position as secretary to one of the partners where she remained until she married and started a family.
She returned to work when her children were quite young and spent all her working life in office environments, including R D Cresswell & sons Ltd in Longton and Woolliscroft Tiles in Hanley.
During her retirement, Sheila enjoyed hobbies including photography and painting, mainly in acrylics.
Sheila leaves behind her six grandchildren, a step-daughter and step grandson and also a great-grandson.