Home and Away's Sheila Kennelly dead at 88
Home and Away star Sheila Kennelly passed away on Monday (14.09.26) at the age of 88.
Home and Away star Sheila Kennelly has died at the age of 88.
The actress, who played Floss McPhee in the Australian soap from its inception in 1988 until 1989, then reprised the role from 2000 until 2008, passed away at her home in New South Wales on Monday (14.09.26).
TV historian Andrew Mercado announced Sheila's death on social media, penning: "Very sad news to report - darling Sheila Kennelly has died the way she always wanted, 'falling off the twig,' as she would say, on her beloved farm in the Hunter Valley.
"She was surrounded by her dogs and dear family who looked after her so lovingly in her final days.
"Sheila starred as several iconic characters in some of Aussie TV's biggest shows, including wig-wearing barmaid Norma Whittaker in Number 96 who called everyone 'ducky', jolly Italian mother-in-law Rosa in Kingswood Country, and the carnival worker in the caravan Floss from the original cast of Home and Away."
He continued: "Sheila remained lifelong friends with many of the actors from Number 96, and was the last one standing of a special friend group that included Carol Raye, Elaine Lee and Elizabeth Kirkby."
Andrew concluded: "I have no doubt they are all now having a lovely reunion with each other ... RIP Sheila x (sic)."
Fans paid tribute on Instagram, as one wrote: "This is very Sad News indeed.
"I remember her playing Floss in Home and Away as well as Rosa from Kingswood Country. She was such a versatile actress as well as a really good one too.
"Vale Sheila."
A second supporter typed: "I’m rewatching number 96 at the moment. Sheila had such a lovely, natural screen presence and great chemistry with Gordon. Her passing is sad news."
And a third follower said: "Vale Sheila. Thanks for the memories."
Born in Brighton, England, Sheila relocated to Australia with her family at a young age, and she attended the North Sydney Girls High School before training at the Independent Theatre.
Her acting career began in the late 1950s, appearing in stage plays, before moving into TV.
Sheila became a household name after playing barmaid Norma Whittaker in the Network 10 soap Number 96, which ran from 1972 until 1977.
The entertainer played "cheery Italian wog" Rosa Berlucci in the Seven Network sitcom Kingswood Country from 1980 until 1984, before going on to star in other shows that decade.
Sheila turned down the chance to star in the 1988 drama film Evil Angels alongside Hollywood star Meryl Streep, 77, because she wanted to appear in the Seven Network soap Home and Away instead.
The star played Floss McPhee, but producers wrote the retired carnival worker out of the show after a year in 1989 because the producers wanted to reformat the programme and focus on a younger cast.
However, Sheila reprised the character from 2000 until 2008.
