Sheila Mary Luk, 101, passed away on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025. Born on September 15,1923, in Teignmouth, England, she was the daughter of Doris Stuart Edwards and Eric Coleby. She was preceded in death by her husband, COL William Luk, and sisters Jane and Anne.
Sheila is survived by four children, COL William J Luk (USA, Ret) of Amherst, NH; Robert Luk and his wife Pam of Rome, GA; Mary Jane Friedland and her husband Myles of Land O Lakes, FL; and Roger Luk of Tampa, FL; five grandchildren Jessica Luk (and husband Alan White), Richard Luk (and wife Ashley), Preston Luk (and wife Jessica ), Coleby Friedland and Dawson Friedland; great granddaughters Mackenzie and Madelyn White; her brother Richard Coleby (and wife Margaret) and niece and nephew Joanne Coleby and Jonathan Coleby of Huntingdon, England.
As a young child born in England after WWI, she spent time in an English children’s home before her father remarried to Kathleen Dawson, whom Sheila lovingly knew as her mother. She had fond memories of attending a traditional girl’s boarding school where she especially enjoyed theater and lacrosse, and learned independence, and how to get along with others. As she came of age, she pursued additional courses in childcare and became a nanny which allowed her to travel and care for children in Athens, Greece; Paris, France; and Washington DC, where she met and married Lieutenant Colonel William Luk. She spent subsequent years as a mother and homemaker, and an army officer’s wife. After multiple moves with the army to bases in the US and Germany, she and Bill were last stationed in Raleigh, NC where she dedicated her time to her raising her children and to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. Sheila spent her final years in Tampa, Florida. She loved her regular visits to Anna Maria Island where she had many visits with family.
Sheila loved to sew, read, garden, and to travel to visit with family. She provided lasting friendships and service to those in her church, military, and neighborhood communities, loved a good “chat” with a hot cup of tea, and enjoyed long walks. She was immensely proud of all her children, grandchildren, great granddaughters, and niece and nephew, and shared an air of wonderment in their accomplishments.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 29th, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 4523 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Timothy’s Church or the charity of your choice.