Friday's Child: Sheila Duffy: They call me the Crazy Yank

How would you describe yourself?

I am passionate about my work, someone you can count on, and I have a great sense of humour. I have also been described as the ‘Crazy Yank’.

Happiest childhood memory?

Summer evenings sitting on the front porch in upstate New York with my brothers in our pyjamas eating ice lollies. We would be fresh from our baths after playing outside all day and it was heaven.

What was your first job?

Volunteering at the local hospital (my mom is an amazing nurse) it taught me that I am not cut out for nursing! Growing-up I watched my parents volunteer and it came naturally to me as an adult. Ultimately volunteering started me on my career path. Volunteering for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in New York led to my first job in a non-profit and the rest is history!

Favourite book?

To Kill a Mockingbird. This was the first book that gripped me from beginning to end,I felt so many emotions while reading it. I loved it and have been an avid reader ever since. It is still a book that I go back to every few years, it is as good now as it was then.

Favourite film?

I have to say I am a sucker for a happily ever after story! Of course this time of the year it would have to be ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.

Favourite television programme?

I am very fickle! I love a good laugh and because of Covid I have mastered the art of binge watching. Most recently I binge-watched ‘Shitz Creek’, of course I love ‘Derry Girls’.

Every year before Christmas you

will find me watching ‘I’m a

Celebrity’.

Favourite expression?

“Riddle me this.” Although I am still trying to master “What’s the craic” in my American accent.

Favourite method of relaxation?

I am not great at relaxing but I do love to organise!

Give me a messy drawer or closet and I am in my element.

Favourite holiday destination?

San Francisco, I lived there for 12 years and still miss it. I am definitely a city girl at heart so I love going back to see my friends and indulging in sushi and Martinis.

What makes you angry?

Littering. It is the ultimate form of laziness and it drives me crazy. I don’t understand people that think others should clean up after them.

What makes you happy?

Being with my family. Both here and in the states, being surrounded by the people that know your history and love you.

I think Covid has really made me appreciate the times that I have gotten on an airplane to see my friends and family back in America.

The fact that I can’t do that now is very painful but I know that these difficult days will pass and the first thing I am going to do is hop on a plane to visit my family in New York.

What human quality do you most admire?

Empathy

What human quality do you least admire?

Dishonesty

What has been the most embarrassing thing to happen to you?

Oh so many to choose from! When I first moved here it was a big change and when people gave me their telephone numbers they would often say “treble 7 or treble 1”. I did not know what button treble was so I just pretended to write the number down. Finally I was out one night and asked the group I was with what treble was and after they stopped laughing, they explained that it was triple as in 777 or 111.

What was the worst thing to happen to you in your life?

It would have to be losing my dad. It was very quick and unexpected. You don’t realise the impact losing a parent will have on you until it happens.

What is your greatest fear?

Losing the people I love. I am also afraid of the dark!

What has been the high point of your life to date?

The birth of my son Finnbarr. Being his mother has been the greatest joy of my life.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a good mom and someone who made a positive difference in the lives of others.

What is your most treasured possession?

Photos. I love going through old photos, they bring you back to a treasured place and time.

If you won the lotto what would you do with it?

I plan on winning millions! First, I would travel and then start my own foundation. I love my career and can’t imagine not doing what I do. If I started my own foundation, I could still work and support great causes.

If you could be granted one wish in life, what would you ask for?

Time. Time on a practical basis to get things done and time to spend with the people I love.

If you could write your own epitaph what would it be?

She left this world better than she found it.