The Keith Sheel Tribute Thread

[Richard]

I have just received the latest Newsletter from Hayley on my email, and she pays tribute to Keith. This is what she says:-

"Now, on a much more sombre note, there is something I must tell you. Much to everyone's shock and sadness, Keith Sheel, who ran www.hayley-westenra-international.com, passed away on Friday 16 December, after a long and courageous battle against cancer. He was one of my greatest supporters and I can't thank him enough. He will be sorely missed. To be honest, the news is still yet to sink in, it was very sudden for everyone, but I can say that when thinking of him, I can't help but smile. He always was so bright, cheerful and brimming with goodwill for everyone; he was a wonderful person. Keith -thank you...I will miss you."

Thank you for the lovely message Hayley.

Richard

[emmettb]

Hi All,

I've just found out about the very sad news regarding Keith from reading Hayleys' newsletter. I'm still so shocked as I write this.

I think Hayley said it perfect he was certainly a wonderful person. Without Keith, I would'nt have got to be involved with HWI and would never have got the opportunity to meet up with everyone at various concerts.

Every time now I hear Hayley sing I will indeed think of Keith.

Missing you, and thank you for all your help.


Emmett, Dublin.

[roger]

Hi Hayley,

Thank you very much for your kind words about Keith in your Newsletter. It means so much to all of us.

Roger

[deejay]

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Keith’s death.
He was a great help on our Forum at Family History UK, where I have added an announcment as follows:

I have some very sad news to report to the Family History UK forum that Keith Sheel (Keith) Family History UK Forum Moderator, died on 16 December 2005 at 5-15pm.
I know many of you have been helped by Keith over the last 12 months, and many times Keith has helped me. His knowledge and passion for Family History was at times astounding. He was a very knowledgeable man, who loved to help people, as he did here many many times on the forum. At times I had to ask him to take a break - as according to the stats he was virtually on all the time! He was a sincere and genuine man, who will be sadly missed here at the forum.

Over the period I knew him, from when he first joined the forum and after a number of private discussions; I felt I had known him all my life. I had no knowledge of his cancer, as he never complained. He would talk about his beloved dog Tina and his other passion - Hayley Westernra and her site.

I was just ready to mail him his Christmas card and ask him how he was....... I am so sorry to hear that he has gone..... I and the Forum will miss him greatly.
Please pass on my sincerest and deepest condolences to Bill and also to Keith's friends and staff of HWI Forum .That would be very much appreciated.
Regards,
Dave
Family History UK Webmaster

I am very glad to of had you Keith as a friend. God bless.

Dave

[nick0208uk]

richnorri said:

I have just received the latest Newsletter from Hayley on my email, and she pays tribute to Keith. This is what she says:-

"Now, on a much more sombre note, there is something I must tell you. Much to everyone's shock and sadness, Keith Sheel, who ran www.hayley-westenra-international.com, passed away on Friday 16 December, after a long and corageous battle against cancer. He was one of my greatest supporters and I can't thank him enough. He will be sorely missed. To be honest, the news is still yet to sink in, it was very sudden for everyone, but I can say that when thinking of him, I can't help but smile. He always was so bright, cheerful and brimming with goodwill for everyone; he was a wonderful person. Keith -thank you...I will miss you."

Thank you for the lovely message Hayley.

Richard

Yes, this was how i first heard about the sad news yesterday.

I don't know how many times Keith had met Hayley, quite a few i imagine over the years, but it was a nice touch.

I had never met Keith in person although i know i have probably sat just a few metres away from him at times. I always imagined that we'd meet eventually but now that will never be.

I came across this HWI and by default Keith for the first time in 2003, ever since whenever i have had a question, for i was ignorant of so much, still am but, he was always more than happy to humour/help me and provide news and information which i otherwise might not have come by. And i am certain as i can be that all this *in the wider sense* i am better for it. And Keith had no small part to play in that.

From the limited experience i had and what others have said, particularly those who knew him far better than i did, it is clear that Keith was a most unselfish and thoughtful man.

I am not the most religious person in the world but i will say this.......Keith, may you now have found what you seek.

Thank You


Nick W,

[paulnotary]

I am not online at home nowdays & just an "net cafe" user ..so when i logged in today i was really taken aback by the news of Keith .

During the brief 3 years i have known Keith he has really helped inspire me and i can only echo the sentiments written earlier by others who also have been touched by the humour and generostity of this man .
.
"thankyou for being you " and sharing your passions with us and helping to enrich the World both in person and online.

I do hope that we will all continue the Keith Sheel legacy by actions and music appreciation as he would wish us to do so -

i will eat a stoggy UK meal on the 28th as we had some geat fun comparing diets ,especially with "food fit for a King" as Keith would muse about some traditional meals ..with lashings of HP sauce .

VALE Keith ..thankyou for introducing me to Hayley and the HWI Team ..
Paul Notary
Australian East Coast Correspondant

[billpoyning]

hi all i am Keith's friend and next door neighbor
just wanted to thank everyone for there kind words and just to add some of my own
Keith was a friend and i mean friend you just had to ask and if he could he would or if he couldn't he would make it his business to find out. thats what i mean as a friend
it gave him great pleasure to help other people
i was there yesterday with bill and a couple of others and it was very sad,it was so nice to see the doctors who treated Keith and nurses as well and if Hayley ever comes to Liverpool again i will be there for myself and for Keith. i took Keith over to she her in Nov and i had the great pleasure to meet a couple of you and of course the westenra family who are so down to earth so i hope to see you soon

[Joe]

Keith was a long-time supporter of The Cottars. In my most recent communication with Allister MacGillivray (musical director and father of two of The Cottars' members), Allister had this to say about Keith's passing:

"So sorry to hear about Keith. He had sent me many complimentary messages about The Cottars. Hopefully there will be someone to continue his dedicated work on the net. "