Islington Tribune - by MARK BLUNDEN Published: 27 April 2007
Sheila Whittingham
Final farewell to Sheila
THE funeral of a “glamorous” former opera singer and actress who was crushed under a lorry in Archway will be held on Wednesday.
In her heyday, Sheila Whittingham performed at the Palladium and rubbed shoulders with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
The sprightly 88-year-old from Dartmouth Park Hill was killed in February after dashing in front of the lorry with her Zimmer frame at a pedestrian crossing in Junction Road.
The truck driver was not arrested.
Mrs Whittingham was a multi-talented variety performer, who could sing, dance and even ice skate. She often performed under her maiden name of Teasdale with husband Derrick Whittingham.
Beryl Keeley, her friend of almost 50 years, said: “Sheila was a fantastic, flamboyant, extrovert and highly-talented woman. She was an extremely accomplished singer.”
Mrs Whittingham lived for 22 years in sheltered housing at Mary Webster House in Dartmouth Park Hill.
She was a familiar face at the Boston Arms pub in Junction Road, which overlooks the spot where she died.
Her funeral will take place at 2pm on Wednesday at St Pancras Church and Cemetery, East Finchley High Road, East Finchley.