Sheila (Collins) Drew

Sheila Collins Drew, wife of Lempster, NH native Lawrence Drew, and part-time summer Lempster resident, passed away on February 22, 2018, in Aldie, VA at the age of 74 succumbing to cancer. Sheila leaves behind Lawrence and son Michael.

Sheila was born on June 7, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA to mother Hellen and father Hugh Collins. She grew up in Philadelphia with her sister Barbara. Sheila graduated from Olney High School and studied elementary education at Penn State University where she met her future husband Lawrence (Larry) Drew. 

After marrying Larry in the fall of 1966, Larry’s career brought them out west to Denver, CO, and Tulsa, OK, but they eventually settled back east in the Washington D.C. suburbs. There, Sheila worked as a school teacher, but also pursued interests and education as varied as restaurant management and business accounting. She was an avid reader, with a special interest in history and politics. Never afraid to express herself, she would often submit op-ed pieces to the paper and would contribute to historical society events at her husband’s small New England home town of Lempster, NH. 

Sheila felt that she had been blessed in life, and always had an implicit sense of virtue. So later in life, she volunteered her time at her church, taught ESL classes, and always took a special interest in friends who needed a helping hand. One of Sheila’s greatest loves was animals, whom she saw as being innocent souls, and her house was always shared with several cats and dogs over which she doted.

Sheila is survived by her husband and son, as well as her daughter-in-law Michelle Drew, and granddaughters Cassidy and Rebecca Drew. She is preceded in death by her sister Barbara Weimert. 

An internment ceremony will be held at the Unity, New Hampshire cemetery on Carroll Brook Road Monday, August 13 at 11 am. A reception will follow at 12:00 pm at the Lempster Meeting House, 112 Lempster Street. 

In honor of Sheila’s love for animals, please consider donating to your local animal shelter in lieu of flowers. 

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