Swimming star passes away
A former Scottish swimming champion and well-known Motherwell business owner has passed away at the age of 102.
Chris Wilson (nee Bowman) was born in Forfar but came to the town with her parents in 1919.
Educated at Dalziel High School, she became an important member of Motherwell Amateur Swimming Club when it was at its peak before the Second World War.
She won many titles and brought the Scottish Cup for the 440-yard freestyle home to the town, setting a record time which lasted for 25 years.
Chris started her working life in a silk factory after leaving school before beginning her own drapery business back in 1960, at Airbles Street. It very quickly grew and she had to move to a larger store in Windmillhill Street.
She supplied school clothing to thousands of children from all over Lanarkshire as well as knitting materials and other goods. The shop always seemed cluttered and crammed with items but Mrs Wilson was famous for always being able to find just what her customers wanted. She continued working until she was 71 and kept very active with other interests after that.
She married James Wilson, an engineering lecturer at Motherwell College, in 1937 and the couple were devoted to each other.
Mr Wilson was well-known as an amateur artist, a member of Wishaw Art Club and was a fellow of Dumfries Royal College of Art.
For many years the couple owned a holiday home in Dalbeattie and enjoyed relaxing there. After giving that up they bought a small chalet in Aberdour and Chris bought a small boat and enjoyed sailing with her younger brother Bill, a lecturer in engineering at the former Bell College, Hamilton.
After her husband suffered a number of strokes Mrs Wilson dedicated her time to taking care of him before he passed away. She stayed active in Dalziel St Andrew’s Parish Church where she was a guild member for over 50 years and she was also a keen member of Motherwell Heritage Society.
The society threw a party to help celebrate her 100th birthday in 2016, which was attended by her many friends and relatives from as far away as Canada and the United States.
During her lifetime she battled cancer successfully on two occasions and always kept a positive attitude. She loved to talk and had a great memory for details and events which she loved to share with friends and family.
Although she did not have any children of her own, Mrs Wilson always took a keen interest in the lives of her brother’s three daughters, Elizabeth, Marian and Christine and their families.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at Dalziel St Andrew’s Church on Thursday, November 7, at 10.30am followed by an internment at Airbles Cemetery. The mourners will then return to the church hall for a reception.