Residents in Loanhead are paying tribute to a much-loved local woman after she sadly passed away with ‘family by her side’.
Isobel Erskine was known in the area after a lifetime of involvement with several community groups. Instantly recognisable around the town, Isobel was heavily involved with the Loanhead Gala Day and the local Girls Brigade for over 30 years.
Locals remembered her as a "lovely lady" after she died aged 80. Her heartbroken sister Janette, who returned from Australia when she heard Isobel was unwell, spoke to Edinburgh Live about her "precious sister".
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She told us: “She was a very amazing woman. She did a lot of work with the youth in the community. She was a very special lady, who will be sadly missed.”
Isobel lived in her house for 73 years, with the family being the first tenants. While Janette emigrated, her sister stayed in their family home and became known by neighbours for having a ‘heart of gold’.
After being asked to crown the gala queen in the early ‘90s, Isobel joined the committee and helped sew outfits and construct crowns for the local celebration. She also helped take care of the children who were on stage on the big day, with Janette telling us you’d ‘struggle to walk down the street without bumping into someone who knew her’.
When she retired, Isobel also began volunteering at the local primary school. Additionally, she did meals on wheels for the elderly people in the area.
Janette told us: “I came back about seven weeks ago. She called me and our brother and told us she was sick. Of course I said I’ll come back immediately, and we’ve spent the last six weeks with her.”
While she admits it was a very difficult time, Janette also appreciated those final few weeks with her sister for what they were. She continued: “I have to say that five of those weeks were spent with us laughing and reminiscing.
“We just spent many, many hours looking back and talking about our childhoods. It was a very special time.”
On April 17, Isobel passed "peacefully at home, with family by her side". A funeral service is set to be held on May 1, at the Pentland Chapel of Mortonhall Crematorium at around 1.30pm.
Family have asked for donations only, if desired, to be given to Marie Curie.
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