Sheila Hamilton(1931 - 2009)

Memorial service today for pioneer of women's rights

The memorial service for East London businesswoman Sheila Hamilton will take place today following her death last Friday. Hamilton, who was 78, was a past chairperson of Womanpower, an organisation aimed at educating women and their employers of women's rights in business. She was also a former director of the Border Chamber of Industry and vice-president of the local Women's Bureau. Her exploits were not only in business, her husband Joss Hamilton said. She was also once the president of the Border Diving Club and a treasurer and counsellor for Life Line. Hamilton and her husband met at Rhodes University where she was studying towards her Bachelor of Arts in English and History. They were married in 1950 and moved to East London in 1974. Her husband, who said the memorial service would be held at the St Nicholas Church in Beacon Bay's Pell Street, added: "She was a good mother and brought the girls up well and as a result, we are a close-knit family." In their 57-year marriage, the couple raised three daughters - Lynne Kernick, Jane Botha and Susan Minaar. They are all married and live in George, Johannesburg and East London. According to Joss, Hamilton's health deteriorated on June 17 after the couple had gone out to celebrate her 78th birthday at a seafood restaurant. "She died from an inability to breathe and not having enough oxygen," he said. He also said that in the last years of her life, Hamilton enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing Sudoku.  Hamilton leaves her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

By Asa Sokopo -10th July 2009 - Daily Dispatch 10 July 2009