Sheila Biggs

Sheila Biggs, born in London, England, and a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, at the age of 101. She was the daughter of Lawrence Huntington, a British film director and professional jazz drummer. Her mother, Peggy Jukes, also a Brit, was an artist and teacher. Her childhood was shaped by the realities of World War II-dodging bombs, attending boarding school starting at the age of five, standing in ration lines, and experiencing the film industry from behind the scenes. These early experiences instilled in her both resilience and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Growing up in London and its outskirts, she often shared vivid stories of the war. As a teenager, she was profoundly affected when, on her way back to boarding school, the Germans bombed the front car of her train, killing the conductor. Yet, she also cherished memories of happier times-days spent with her mother and cousins on the rocky beaches of Brighton, during simpler times by the sea. Her father's involvement in the film industry exposed her to acting and the magic of movies, and she herself performed both on stage and in films.

In her late twenties, she crossed the Atlantic, where a chance meeting at a Manhattan cocktail party introduced her to a Columbia University student, Harold, from Santiago, Chile. Their love story blossomed into a partnership, and together they built a life that spanned Manhattan, Santiago, Westchester, New York, and ultimately Avondale Estates, Georgia. They had one daughter, Kate.

Sheila taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City for many years and played a part in many young and successful actors' early careers. During her tenure, she and a colleague, Katherine Rosati, formed their own NYC theater company, Biggs Rosati Productions, at a time when starting a business wasn't easy for women. For over 20 years, they served as artistic directors for the National Theatre for the Performing Arts, a touring acting company that presented classics from playwrights such as Cervantes and Molière to folklore such as the Brothers Grimm for young audiences-with a twist: the shows were performed bilingually.

She and Harold cherished friends and family above all else. Their move from New Rochelle, New York, to Avondale Estates, Georgia, brought them closer to Kate and enabled them to play an integral role in the lives of their two grandchildren, Brendan and Sean

They became active members of St. Thomas More Church, forging deep and lasting friendships within the STM community-bonds that enriched their lives for over thirty-five years. Sheila's compassion inspired her to advocate for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. As a dedicated CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, she helped children in foster care have a voice and someone to champion their best interests in the courts.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Harold Hurtado Biggs. She is survived by her daughter Kate B. Underwood (Atlanta, Georgia) and son-in-law Gerald; grandson Brendan (Atlanta, Georgia), his wife Jessica, and great-grandson Hatcher; grandson Sean (Anchorage, Alaska); grandson Aron Biggs (Portland, Oregon); granddaughter Stefanie Grounds (Ft. Wayne, Indiana), her husband Tom, and great-granddaughter Penelope. Other surviving family members include her sister-in-law Carmen Hurtado Biggs (Santiago, Chile); maternal cousins Tony Brenna (Port Ludlow, Washington) and his wife Elena; and Jan Mathews (London, England) and her wife Ali.

A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas More in Decatur, Georgia, on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:00 am. In place of flowers, memorial contributions honoring Sheila Biggs may be directed to https://atlantacasa.org, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of children within the foster care system.