Tributes to 'remarkable' former Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor

Tributes have poured in for a 'remarkable' former Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor who dedicated years to championing the communities she tirelessly represented. Sheila Pitt, who has been dubbed an 'incredible individual' by fellow community leaders, passed away on Sunday (November 10) - just two days after celebrating her 90th birthday.

Current members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council are set to hold a special minute's silence in tribute to Hanley-born Sheila. The grandmother-of-six was a well-known figure in the Potteries having first been elected to the local authority to represent the then Berryhill and Hanley East ward in 2004.

After representing the area until 2008 she went on to be councillor for the Bentilee and Ubberley ward in 2011. The great-grandmother retired from that role in May last year.

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She had also been Lord Mayor of the city in 2013 where she spent her time in office raising vital funds for both the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and the British Cardiac Patients Association.

As a youngster Sheila attended Hanley's St John's Primary School and Brownhills Grammar school for Girls.

On leaving school as a 16-year-old she worked as a junior clerk in a solicitor's office. She went on to become a secretary to one of the partners until she married and started a family. Sheila went on to work at Longton-based RD Creswell & Sons and Hanley's George Woolliscroft & Sons tileworks. Loved-ones say she enjoyed photography and painting.

Now fellow councillors have lauded her contribution to the city as they prepare to pay their respects at a full council meeting on December 5.

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 she 'feels better for knowing her'.

Councillor Watkins said: “Sheila was a very good friend and Labour colleague. I was privileged to have her support when I won the by-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, says Sheila was 'a real lady'.

He 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.”

Sheila leaves six grandchildren, a step-daughter, and step-grandson, and a great-grandson.

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