Heartfelt tribute to tragic Brancumhall wife

Jan 7 2009 by David Wynn, East Kilbride News

A DEVOTED husband has paid tribute to his ‘fun-loving’ wife who tragically died this week aged just 44.

Martin Duthie described his partner of 25 years, Margaret-Anne, as a ‘breath of fresh air who brought joy to everyone she met’.

The popular and well-known Brancumhall woman suffered a blood clot on the brain while watching television at the couple’s home on Saturday morning.

She was rushed to Hairmyres Hospital before being transferred to Glasgow’s Southern General where, despite initial hopes of a recovery, she sadly passed away on Monday morning.

In a cruel twist, Martin revealed that Margaret-Anne had been given a clean bill of health less than three weeks ago after undergoing a brain scan.

He told the News: “Margaret-Anne was my best friend for the past 25 years and it is just devastating that she has gone. We were in the living room on Saturday morning and I asked if she could send a text for me. I got no reply but noticed she was moving as if to get comfortable in the seat. When she didn’t reply a second time I went over and could see from her eyes that something was wrong; she was just staring straight ahead as though she couldn’t see anything.

“I rang 999 and she was taken to Hairmyres but was soon transferred to the Southern General.

“Initially the doctors thought she was improving but then she suffered a seizure and there was nothing more that could be done.

“I was able to spend the next ten hours with her and that helped me. I felt I was able to say goodbye.

“What makes it tougher is that just a few weeks ago she went for a scan at the doctor’s because she had noticed blood in her eye. The tests came back all-clear and I remember saying to her that she was lucky to know she was in good health as nobody is really sure what’s going on inside. Now just weeks later she’s gone.”

Margaret-Anne, whose father died in his 40s from a brain aneurysm, worked as an interpreter for Deafblind Scotland and often escorted people to football matches where she would act as their eyes and ears.

For years previous she worked in various jobs in East Kilbride, including the town’s driving range and the Olympus store in the town centre.

Martin continued: “We met at a nightclub in Hamilton 25 years ago and just clicked. Margaret-Anne made you feel comfortable and at ease. She was always laughing, always smiling and was just so fun-loving. I run for Calderglen Harriers and she was always on the sidelines cheering us on. If you wanted to know where she was you just listened for the loudest cheer.

“She was very caring, loved animals and thoroughly enjoyed her work with Deafblind Scotland. She was just such a breath of fresh air and I’m so proud to have known her all these years. She had loads of friends because she was such a warm person. She’ll be very sadly missed.”

Margaret’s funeral is expected to be held next week. Details can be obtained from Co-Op Funeral Care on 01355 220637.