Sheila has been a stalwart of Taunton Bridge Club since the 1970s and of Somerset Contract Bridge Association for more than 34 years.

Playing initially with her father,  she earned the nickname 'Spitfire' for gently pointing out where her partner could have played better! Sheila's father was Michael Coda - a  name many will recognise from the competition that takes place across the county to this day, with Sheila annually nominating the charity that benefits.

Sheila did very well in national competitions, winning a number of events. Her greatest success was in 2004 when she won the Whitelaw Cup (National Womens Teams) partnering Jackie Waters and with teammates Gina Howard and Caroline McPherson. This was a real coup for Somerset bridge.

In 2002 she won the National Pairs regional final at Bristol partnering Roger Sweet, who recalls that the trophy was so big that Sheila could have sat inside it!

In 2012 she was part of the Taunton team that won the NICKO Plate. She partnered Roger Sweet with teammates Jackie Waters & Heinz Brunsch (pictured).

There were numerous victories at club and county level with several different partners. At the same time she was keen to help newer players and help popularise the game, spearheading a Fast Forward to Bridge course at the club.

She was on the county committee for many years, deservedly winning the prestigious Dimmie Fleming award from the EBU for services to bridge (pictured).

Both Roger Sweet and Colin Flood remember her as being overall good fun to play with and her saying "shape is everything" when her partner failed to bid a slam on minimal high card points. She will be sorely missed.

This obituary was made possible by the assistance of Colin Flood and Roger Sweet, two of Sheila's longstanding bridge friends.