The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Family of Kirkcaldy gran taken by virus to gather for funeral
The family of a popular Fife woman who died at home after contracting Covid-19 will gather for her funeral today.
Ruby Gillespie, 85, a much-loved mum and gran , described as “a tough cookie who loved life”, was originally from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland but had called Kirkcaldy her home for the last 64 years.
Immediate family members will gather to pay their respects at a service later today, but her relatives say they plan to hold a memorial service at a later date to give Ruby the send-off she deserves.
Ruby, who has battled underlying health issues in recent years, died suddenly but peacefully at home on Tuesday last week.
Her grandaughter Kimmy Summers said: “She was a great family woman, strong-willed and an independent tough cookie with the best sense of humour that loved life.”
“
She was a great family woman, strongwilled and an independent tough cookie with the best sense of humour. KIMMY SUMMERS
She said her grandmother was a “once met never forgotten” character, who would be remembered for her genuine affection, her great wit and strong Irish accent, and her smile.
“Ruby did her best and has left us with a lot of good and happy memories, certainly in these last few years,” she said.
The eldest of a family of seven, Ruby often reminded people of her early days at the dance hall across the road from her house in Northern Ireland and how she worked at the local cotton factory at the age of 14.
Married at 21 to Ronald Gillespie, she moved to Huddersfield and later to Kirkcaldy, spending the last 28 years in the Redcraigs area.
She had four children – Margo, Iris, Caroline and Ronnie – and introduced them to the idea of earning a wage by taking them to the potato and berry farms from a young age.
Next came her grandchildren, Steven, the late Scott, Kimmy, Jordan, Jade and Callum.