THE family of one of Scotland's oldest women has paid tribute to their "remarkable" mum who has died at the age of 108.

 

Meg Melvin, who grew up in Govanhill, has lived through five monarchs, 20 prime ministers and two world wars.

She died peacefully at her home in Dundas Court, Knightswood, on Boxing Day.

Meg's relatives and friends will celebrate her life at a service today at Maryhill Crematorium.

Her son Don, 75, said the secret to his mum's life was never thinking about age.

He said: "She was so friendly, she loved her family, she loved people and I don't think anyone ever had a bad word to say about her.

"She never thought about how old she was. She just did things as well as she could do them.

"She played bingo until she was 107 and she always watched the news and read newspapers right up until the end.

"She was a modern woman."

Meg was born in Dundee on August 7, 1906, the year of the San Francisco earthquake and during the reign of Edward V11, to parents John Moonie and Helen.

The family moved to Govanhill when she was eight.

Her daughter Margaret George, 74, said: "She still remembered the lads walking down Cathcart Road to go to war at the start of the First World War."

She met the "love of her life" Willie while she was working as manager of Methvens fruit and confectionary shop in Govan.

They married in 1938. Meg was widowed in 1960 when Willie died and she never married again.

Meg devoted her life to her children right up until the end of her life.

Her son Billy, 69, who emigrated to Canada, said: "She came to visit Canada when she was 97 - she travelled by herself.

"She just loved her family."

Meg has eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and has a great-great-grandchild on the way.

Don's wife Sandra, 67, said: "She knew the great-great-grandkid was coming and she was very pleased."

Meg lived a healthy life and did not overindulge. She occasionally enjoyed a Baileys night-cap.

She worked as a cleaner and then a companion to a Hillhead doctor until she was 92.

Meg loved jewellery and would never be seen without her earrings. She remembered going round to a neighbour's house in 1953 to watch Queen Elizabeth's coronation.

After Meg had a fall while standing on the kitchen table at the age of 97 painting her kitchen, she moved to the Knightswood care home.

Relatives joined Meg at her flat to have Christmas dinner round her bed.

Her health had deteriorated in the last six months.

Billy said: "She only really became old recently, she never seemed old before.

"She just died of old age."

Margaret added: "She knew how much we all loved her."