A Glasgow 'legend' who celebrated her 100th birthday with a Butler in the Buff and her 102nd with an Ibrox Stadium tour, has passed away.
Jean Wright passed away aged 102 at a care home in Carntyne on June 14 - just months after receiving a birthday card from Rangers' Giovanni van Bronckhorst and taking a jaunt round Ibrox. The Dennistoun stalwart was born in a house on Duke Street on March 8 1920 and lived there till moving to the care home just over a year ago.
While the retired clerk had no partner or children of her own, she was known to many as 'Aunt Jean' and treated many friends 'like family'. In the wake of her passing, loved ones have paid tribute to their beloved 'aunt' who 'loved life like nobody else did'.
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Graham Collie's mother, Rena, was best friends with Jean before she died over a decade ago. Graham from East Kilbride was with his Aunt Jean for both of her recent 'memorable' birthday parties.
The 67-year-old hailed his late aunt for her zest for life and love for all those in it.
Dad-of-three Graham told Glasgow Live: "Aunt Jean loved life and lived life more than anyone I've ever met. Her diary was always full and she was never in.
"She lived alone but was never without company, she was a real character. On her 100th birthday we dined at A'Challtainn and got a Butler in the Buff. She thought it was brilliant and was smacking him on the bum. She was hilarious.
"Jean's 101st birthday was during the second lockdown but her 102nd made up for it because she got a letter from Giovanni van Bronckhorst to her care home where she had a week-long party. A short time later she got a tour of Ibrox Stadium. She lived life to the full till the very end."
A true pillar of the community, Jean left Dennistoun's Whitehill Secondary School aged 14 for a job as a clerk that she kept till retiring at 60. The Scrabble expert's free time was spent volunteering with Girl Guiding as a leader then commissioner.
She was an active member of her local church, the Women's Guild, keep fit classes and the White Heather Club. It was through Guiding and Scottish Country Dance nights that she met Graham's mum Rena.
Jean's life was hit with tragedy in 1944 when her brother Hugh was killed fighting in the Second World War. It was a veterans' charity who, just a few weeks ago, invited Jean to Glasgow Central Station for a tea party to mark the Queen's Jubilee.
And while she never divulged secrets to keeping sharp, loved ones noted that she 'barely touched a drop' of alcohol, stayed away from drugs and kept an active mind.
"Aunt Jean saw it all and lived it all," Graham added.
"She lived such a good life and was heavily involved in the church but witnessed all the violence right outside her home on Duke Street for years. She travelled too; she'd go to Buchanan Bus Station on a Saturday and choose somewhere new to go with her free bus pass. She also visited far away places like Australia and Singapore."
While Jean's heart was 'not in a good way' in the years leading up to her death, mentally the legendary Glaswegian was full of beans till the end.
"I was in the Canaries with my wife, Lynn, when my nephew called the day Jean had died," Graham added.
"Even though she was 102 I was in total shock. I can't really express how much we already miss our Aunt Jean.
"Part of our extended 'family' for at least five generations. She really was something else."
Jean's funeral takes place Thursday, July 7 at 12.45 pm at Daldowie Crematorium. Loved ones have asked to take Jean along Duke Street one last time en route to the crematorium.
In lieu of flowers, there will be a donation box to support Girl Guiding. You can donate to Girl Guiding UK online by visiting their website.
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