Woolworth’s girl who saw the world and met royalty

IT began with a dance with a soldier in Alyth in 1963 and would lead to Woolworth’s girl Sonia Proctor touring the world, mixing with royalty and becoming the first lady of Angus.

Within years of that evening in Perthshire, Sonia would be looking after the welfare of hundreds of Black Watch wives and supporting her regimental sergeant major husband, Ronnie.

Over the decades, the couple would make home in 13 places across the world and finally settle in Kirriemuir. Mrs Proctor would devote herself to charity work. Ronnie would become Provost of Angus, with Sonia providing support.

That special partnership ended on Friday March 26, when Mrs Proctor died at home. She was surrounded by her family as her eight-month cancer battle ended.

Ronnie said: “Sonia was a lady who began her adult life as a shy, quiet teenager and grew into the most heartwarming, honest and down-to-earth wife, mother and grandmother who was loved by all.”

Mrs Proctor was born in Meikleour Cottage Hospital on January 26 1946. Her full name was Isabella Watson Brown Reid Griffin.

She was the fourth generation of living females in the family to be called Isabella, so was given the name Sonia to avoid confusion.

She left school in 1961 to become an apprentice tailor. That career ended when the business closed so Sonia took a job at the wire basket-making factory at Stanley Mills.

When an opening came up at the newly-opened Woolworth’s store on High Street, Lochee, she jumped at the chance.