[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 94 (Thursday, June 27, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF SHEILA STUART

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2013

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Sheila 
Stuart, a dear friend and long time community activist who recently 
died. Sheila was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many 
throughout her years of tireless service to her community.
   Sheila was born in Dublin, Ireland on April 24, 1918, the second of 
six children. Her father, a school teacher and principal, instilled in 
Sheila a life-long love of learning. At fifteen, after attending 
Dominican College for three years, Sheila went to work as a clerk to 
support her family. In 1945, she met and married John ``Harry'' Stuart. 
In 1947, the young couple had a son and a year later moved to London 
and then India, where Harry worked as a mechanical engineer building 
power plants. While in India, daughter Orla was born. The family left 
India in 1954, eventually finding their way to Santa Cruz, California, 
in 1956. They remained in Santa Cruz for the rest of their lives.
   Sheila was an active participant in a number of community 
organizations. Harry and Sheila joined the Pasatiempo Golf Club where 
Sheila served as President of the Pasatiempo 18-hole Women's Club and 
won numerous trophies. In the late 1950's she began serving as both 
``room mother'' at her son Orin's school and Cub Scout Den Mother. She 
was active in the League of Women Voters, as well as in the Santa Cruz 
Symphony, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz.
   Sheila's interest in politics was fueled by her love for fellow 
Irishman John Kennedy. Sheila walked precincts for Kennedy, handing out 
pamphlets. She and the children drove to San Jose to watch Kennedy's 
motorcade and she often recounted how Kennedy turned and smiled 
directly at her when she shouted the Irish greeting, ``cead mile 
failte.'' Sheila continued her involvement in local politics working as 
Santa Cruz County Assessor for eleven years, where she assisted with 
the Homeowner's Exemption Program. An avid Democrat, Sheila said one of 
her greatest achievements was turning her conservative husband into a 
liberal Democrat! Sheila ran several campaigns in Santa Cruz including 
Robert Kennedy's 1968 Presidential Primary, Gary Hart's Presidential 
bid and two campaigns for Dianne Feinstein. She helped Leon Panetta in 
his first Congressional campaign and later volunteered tirelessly for a 
number of other candidates and issues. After her retirement, she became 
active in the Democratic Women's Club and The Santa Cruz County 
Democratic Central Committee, where she became the first Voter Services 
Chair and later DCC Co-Chair. She was also honored as the first DCC 
``Democrat of the Year''.
   Sheila is survived by son Orin and daughter-in-law Arlene of Sutter 
Creek; daughter Orla of Santa Cruz; grandchildren Jason, Nicole (Ian), 
Courtney (Ryan), and Trevor; three great-grandchildren, Sophia, Colton 
and Cayden, numerous nephews and nieces in Ireland and Canada, and many 
dear friends.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House in honoring Sheila 
Stuart and the remarkable life she led and in extending our condolences 
to her family and friends. The civic activism that Sheila Stuart 
embodied is the lifeblood of our democracy and our nation owes her a 
debt of gratitude for her efforts.

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