Tributes paid to popular pet shop worker
Tributes have been made to a much-loved Ayrshire pet shop worker who died suddenly last week - just months after her retirement.
Carol Young was a friendly face of Troon Pets and Aquaria over the past four years.
The animal lover was a mainstay of the popular Church Street store and had only just retired at Christmas.
Her former colleagues received the shock news last week that she had passed away after suffering a stroke at her home in Newmilns, aged 66.
Carol was rushed to hospital after the major clot on Wednesday, July 21 but sadly died just days later on Sunday, July 25 in Crosshouse Hospital.
Troon Pets and Aquaria broke the devastating news to customers last week.
In a Facebook post, heartbroken owner Audrey Young, of the Church Street store, said:“It’s with great sadness we have to announce the sudden death of my sister-in-law Carol who just retired at Christmas having joined Troon pets when Tom died four years ago. She was a great friend and my rock.. Will be sorely missed by all the family.”
Audrey said how Carol stepped in at a time of crisis after the death of her husband Tom Young in 2017.
Supportive Carol jumped in to help the team deal with the shock loss and since then became a mainstay up until her retirement after Christmas last year.
Well-wishers have been paying their respects to Carol who has been hailed as the‘life and soul’of the shop.
Audrey, 58, said:“We were all shocked and devastated to hear of Carol’s passing.
“She came to help me when I needed it the most after my husband died.
“She was one of those vibrant people who was full of life.
“She loved talking to people when they came in - everyone remembers her. She loved working here.”
Carol, who was married to her husband Andrew Young, spent time in many
Ayrshire stores including running her own in Newmilns and working in JD Sports and the Poundshop in Kilmarnock. Audrey added:“She was well known in her village- she lived there all her life.
“But she made such an impact here in Troon; a lot of customers have been coming in to pay their respects to her and share memories.
“She loved working here and adored seeing everyone’s pets. She was the life and soul of the place.”
Carol’s funeral will take place on Monday, August 9 at Dreghorn Crematorium.
Troon Pets and Aquaria will close that day to allow staff to pay their respects.