It is with both sadness and hope in Christ that I write to inform you of the passing of Lesley Sheed on Sunday, 27th April, which was also her 96th birthday.
Lesley was a long-time and much-loved member of our church family. She was a regular worshipper at both our Sunday 9am service and our Wednesday 10am service, and she faithfully served as a member of the Sunday 9am choir. Up until recently, when frail health prevented her from attending, Lesley also played the organ every week for our Wednesday service and generously stepped in to assist with various musical needs of the church.
Lesley was a wonderful person, a gifted musician, and a faithful Christian. She loved Jesus deeply and served Him joyfully and faithfully until the end of her earthly life. I personally give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to know her, and for the encouragement she gave to me and to so many others. I will always remember her kind words to me at the church door after services: “May God bless your ministry.”
Lesley will be dearly missed by all of us who knew and loved her. Yet we take comfort in knowing that she is now with the Lord whom she loved so much. As we remember her, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7–8:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Please keep Lesley’s loved ones in your prayers during this time.
A service to celebrate Lesley’s life will be held at Cloudy Bay Funeral Services on Monday, 5th May at 1.00pm.
We give thanks to God for Lesley’s life and faithful witness.
In Christ’s love Deo
Rev DrDeo Vistar Vicar, St Christopher’s Anglican Church
