His work as a town planner and chartered surveyor was only part of the wide ranging interests and achievements of my partner Shean McConnell’s long life. Shean, who has died aged 90, was my friend for more than 60 years and civil partner since 2018.
He worked in town planning in Canada, the US and Australia, as well as in the UK. The part of his career that meant the most to him was as head of the department of town planning at London South Bank University from the mid-1960s to the mid-80s.
Over many years living in Stockwell, Lambeth, Shean devoted much time and energy to community and political work. Using his first name, Robert, rather than the middle name, Shean, that he more usually went by, he was a Liberal Democrat councillor from 1996 to 2006. He was chair of the patient participation committee at Stockwell group practice, active in the community police consultative group, residential care committee and Norwood town centre forum, as well as supporting the development of a new secondary school in the southern part of the borough and being governor of several primary schools.
He supported the local church, managing the church hall for some years and maintaining its garden, and Slade Gardens adventure playground. He was a conscientious, hospitable and generous-hearted member of the community.
He was born in Belfast, the eldest of four children of Sir Robert McConnell Bt, who ran the family estate agents’ business in Belfast and served during wartime in the Royal Navy, and his wife, Rosamond (nee Reade), a teacher. Shean went to Stowe school in Buckinghamshire, and lived in London after graduating from both Cambridge and the University of British Columbia with master’s degrees in urban estate management and community and regional planning. His extensive four-generation Northern Irish family was immensely important to him. He always kept in close touch, welcoming relatives to his home, and frequently visiting Belfast for family events. On his father’s death in 1987 he became 4th Baronet McConnell although he did not use the title.
The baronetcy was awarded by Queen Victoria in 1900. On a visit to Dublin she made the lord mayor a baronet, then invited Shean’s great-grandfather, lord mayor of Belfast, to Dublin to receive the same honour. In 1995 Shean privately published an illustrated family history.
Shean’s other great expertise and source of enjoyment was gardening. A skilled plantsman and planner, he maintained his natural-looking garden in a colourful state all year round. He was proud that it was featured on the TV programme Mary’s Silver Service (2014), presented by Mary Portas, but greatly frustrated in his last years of failing health to be unable to do the gardening.
He is survived by me, and by his siblings, Don and Moyne.
