Sheila Walsh (1928 - January 20, 2009)

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Sheila Walsh, née Sheila O'Nions (b. 1928 in Birmingham, England, UK - d. January 20, 2009) was a British writer of romance novels from 1975 to 2001, she also wrote as Sophie Leyton.

She was the thirteenth elected Chairman (1985-1987) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Born Sheila O'Nions in 1928 in Birmingham, England, UK, during the Second World War, her family moved to Southport, Lancashire, where she met Des Walsh, son of the Thomas Walsh, who had a jewelry store at 39 Chapel Street since 1926. In 1950, Sheila married with Des Walsh, and they had two daughters, Fran Walsh and Tess Walsh. Sheila worked years in her husband's familiar jewelry store, with her husband, her husband elder brother Gerard and his wife Dorothy.

In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle, and years later, in 1986 was elected life president. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and later elected Chairman (1985-1987).

Her debut novel, The Golden Songbird, won the Netta Muskett award for new writers from the Romantic Novelists' Association, and in 1984, her novel, A Highly Respectable Marriage won the Elizabeth Goudge award.

Sheila suffered from Alzheimer's disease in her later years. Survived by her husband and their two daughters, she passed away in 20 January 2009, at 80.

First Book - The Golden Songbird (1975): The Golden Songbird (Signet)

Last Book - The Lady from Lisbon (2001): The Lady From Lisbon (Signet Regency Romance)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Walsh_(novelist)