FAMILY and colleagues have paid tribute to a woman who was “generous and caring to a fault.”

Christine Thorburn, 63, died peacefully at her home in Sinclair Street on Monday, September 12, following a short illness.

Christine was well-known in the Helensburgh community for her chatty, caring and outgoing manner. She was a loved member of the Oxfam team where she worked for over 20 years.

Originally from Alexandria, Christine moved to Helensburgh 32 years ago. Before starting as, a volunteer in the Oxfam shop in Colquhoun Square and quickly progressing to store manager Christine spent time travelling the world and also worked in the medical records department in the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Christine’s life and focus was very much on her husband Danny, her love for her two dogs and her job.

Christine’s younger sister Jean, who lives in England with her two boys, has paid tribute to the ever caring Christine who played the big sister role her whole life.

Jean said: “Christine was a very large personality, she was great fun and always caring for others, forever the big sister.

“Christine took on the role of carer from an early age after the loss of our mum and has also been a carer for her husband, she looked after everyone in all roles of life and was brilliant with my boys David and Charlie.”

As well as volunteering her time in the Oxfam shop Christine was a great supporter of other charities and a strong believer in adopting animals as gifts and promoting Fairtrade. Christine and Jean were known for fundraising together for years and making as much money as they could for the Milton animal home and Jean remembers them fondly.

She said: “She worried about everyone else, never herself, she fundraised for various different charities and gave to a few every month, she loved caring and helping.”

Christine’s friends and colleagues from Oxfam have been a huge support and comfort for Jean and Danny, offering to help in any way they could, going shopping and checking in.

Brenda Walton, area manager at Oxfam told of the shock at the sudden loss of a loved colleague and friend.

She said: “Christine was a much loved member of Oxfam for over 20 years. She will be sadly missed by all her colleagues and the volunteer staff. She was always laughing and catered all the events making sure we were all well fed. She was a very caring person and we are just all in shock.”

Colleague Mary Durkin added: “Christine never missed a day’s work, she was first in the store and last home, she was very dependable and all the customers liked her. She was popular and well-known, we all loved her and she will be greatly missed.”

Staff at the Oxfam shop had a tribute for Christine on display in the window and closed the store early on Wednesday, September 21 to allow staff to attend the funeral of their “beloved colleague and manager” at Cardross Crematorium.

The funeral was attended by Christine’s family and her Oxfam family who will all miss her greatly.