Colchester health visitor Sheila Graylen has died after a long battle against cancer. She was 50.

Sheila, who lived in West Bergholt, grew up in Worseley, Manchester.

She trained to be a nurse at Hillingdon Hospital in north-west London.

Sheila returned to the north west to do district nursing and midwifery at St Mary's Hospital and then worked as a health visitor in Widnes.

During this time she met Richard Graylen. They married in September, 1977. For the next 22 years they moved around the country, living and working in a number of locations through Richard's work. The couple have three children Jane, Phil and Sara.

In March, 1999, they settled in West Bergholt. Sheila started working as a health visitor from the Central Clinic in Colchester, as well as the Greenstead clinic and East Hill.

Away from work, Sheila was family orientated and was a keen walker. After completing her first course of chemotherapy, she demonstrated her resolve by climbing Scafell Pike

Away from work, Sheila was family orientated and was a keen walker. After completing her first course of chemotherapy, she demonstrated her resolve by climbing almost to the summit of Scafell Pike

Published Friday, April 18, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette