Community champion loses cancer fight

Published 13 Jul 2010 10:00

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known community stalwart, who has sadly passed away.

Betty Crawford, 79, from Tontine Park, Renton, passed away at St Margaret's Hospice on Thursday July 1 after losing a brave battle against bowel cancer.

Much-loved throughout the community, Betty dedicated the last nine-and-half-years of her life as a volunteer at Dumbarton's Cancer Research Shop.

So popular was Betty that the shop closed its doors on Thursday as volunteers gathered for her funeral.

Ben Dale, store manager at the shop, said that she will be sorely missed.

He said: "It's sad as she was just coming up for her 10-year anniversary as a volunteer in November.

"She is one of the longest serving volunteers.

"I was delighted to have worked with her as she was very feisty and had very strong opinions ,and we used to have a lot of conversations with her about how to put the world right."

Born in Inverkeithing in 1930, Betty grew up there before moving to Canada to marry a Scotsman in 1955.

After having her three children - Ruth, Ewan and Julie - Betty moved back to Inverkeithing in 1971.

As a single parent, Betty worked extremely hard to give her children the best up bringing.

After her daughter Ruth moved to Australia and her son Ewan moved to Canada, Betty decided to move to Renton in 1991 to be nearer to her youngest daughter Julie.

Julie, 49, paid tribute to her mum.

She said: "I think my mum always thought she was quite an insignificant person but at the funeral it was amazing and it made you quite proud.

"When she moved to Renton I encouraged her to lead an independent life as I didn't want her to just have me for company, so she really threw herself into the community.

"She was an active member of the Renton Veterans Bowling Club and she won lots of trophies.

"It was nice to see the club members at the funeral."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 13 Jul 10

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