The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Community hero has street named after her
Widower ‘so proud’ of late wife Irene Hughes who gave up so much of her time to help others in Rosyth
A community hero who worked tirelessly in helping others has had a street named after her a year on from her death.
Irene Hughes, who was 75 when she died, was an active member of her local community council and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
Now a street in her hometown of Rosyth has been named Irene Hughes Drive to commemorate her legacy after she died suddenly a year ago yesterday.
The selection for the new street name at the Hilton Gardens development was put forward by the Rosyth Community Council.
Irene’s husband John, 77, said it was a remarkable tribute to his beloved wife.
He said: “I feel very privileged to see Irene’s name there. This is now part of her legacy.
“Irene died very suddenly from a brain haemorrhage last year. We had just got back from a cruise when she went to get an MRI scan.
“She ended up dying eight days later. She entertained people for 40 years in nursing homes, schools and community events.
“She played the piano from the year dot and our good friend Provost Jim Leishman always said she was in the papers more than he was!”
John said his late wife thought of everyone as a friend that she just didn’t know yet due to her bubbly and friendly personality.
He said: “She knew everybody and had a lot of time for people. She had more friends than you could shake a stick at.
“If you met her at a bus stop, you would end up exchanging Christmas cards for years. That’s the type of person she was.
“I’m so proud of her. She did everything she could for people and deserves this honour.
“It’s a remarkable thing to have a street named after you.”
John and Irene were married for 50 years and met after John was posted to Rosyth while in the navy.
He spent 35 years in the navy while Irene worked as a nursery nurse and latterly a college lecturer.
They raised their three sons and one daughter in Rosyth and now have three grandchildren.
Fife Provost Jim Leishman said: “Irene was totally committed to the community and people like her deserve the recognition.
“She was a very special lady who cared about others more than herself and I am very proud of her.”
Danny Hughes, chairwoman of Rosyth Community Council, said: “Irene was on the council for many years. She was quite a figure in the community.
“She did a lot of work for others and was a lovely woman. I hope this road name in her honour is a fitting tribute to her.”