Jody Shecter was a 10-time winner in Formula 1 and won the championship in 1979.
Jody Scheckter, the 1979 Formula 1 champion, and his family are grieving the loss of daughter Ila, who died on Oct. 17 of what the family describes as an ‘accidental overdose.’
Ila was 21. Her death comes two years after she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor that required brain surgery.
Ila was one of six children in the Scheckter family and was on hand for the 40th anniversary celebration at Monza in early September that honored Jody’s 1979 championship. It was the last family gathering to include all the Scheckter children.
According to a family statement released by Jody, 69, and wife Clare and published in the Daily Mail, Ila had ‘in recent months, developed epilepsy which resulted in her having extreme anxiety and fear of seizures. She lost her battle with addiction in trying to numb the fear and feelings that overwhelmed her.”
According to the family statement, Ila had enrolled at the University of Westminster, where she planned to study psychology.
Jody Schecketer was a 10-time race winner in Formula 1, and he won his 1979 title for Ferrari.
Hugo, left, and Ila Scheckter from a post on Hugo Scheckter’s Instagram page.
Hugo Scheckter, Ila’s brother, posted the following to Twitter:
“Beyond heartbroken to lose my sister Ila last week to addiction at the age of 21. She suffered so much but is at peace now. I hate the fact this is considered news by the Daily Mail but they have at least let us put in a family statement. RIP Ila, we miss you so much.”
The family issued the following statement:
The Scheckter family are utterly heartbroken and totally devastated to announce the passing of Ila.
Ila had been diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago totally out of the blue and subsequently underwent major brain surgery. In recent months, she had developed epilepsy which resulted in her having extreme anxiety and fear of seizures. She lost her battle with addiction in trying to numb the fear and feelings that overwhelmed her. Ila found many wonderful friends and had so much support from the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.
Ila was a larger than life character in many ways – funny, wacky, outrageous, beautiful, smart, compassionate, empathetic, loyal and with a smile that could light up a room. But she was also full of self-doubt and anxiety. She saw the good in everyone else and managed to touch the hearts of so many people in ways that she never realized. Whilst she was loved by so many, she struggled to feel that love. But she was adored by so many and the outpourings of love to the family from friends and people whose lives she impacted has meant so much to us.
In September, despite being really unwell, she bravely and determinedly joined her parents, four brothers and younger sister in Monza for the 40th anniversary of Jody’s F1 World Championship. It was the last time the whole family were united and together they celebrated this milestone.
Ila died in her sleep on Thursday night at home from a suspected accidental overdose, having made the brave decision to go into treatment the next morning. Ila wanted to be clean, healthy and happy and have a long and purposeful life. She had recently enrolled at the University of Westminster to study Psychology for Counselling as she wanted to be able help others with their mental health.
Aged only 21, Ila has been taken from our lives too soon and the pain our family feel at her loss is unbearable. Ila is at peace, no longer suffering the fear of further brain surgery – awake, seizures, chemotherapy, radiation etc.
Please respect our privacy to grieve the loss of a much loved daughter, sister and aunt. There will be a private family funeral and a memorial service later to celebrate her short life.
Source: Read Full Article