Bidding a fond farewell to the queen of the bowling green

Jean, who lived all her life in Milngavie, was well known in the town.

She was twice ladies captain at Milngavie Bowling Club (in 1983 and 1994) and was also President of the Dunbartonshire Women’s Bowling Association.

She was born on November 9, 1919, at 52 Main Street, Milngavie, and attended Milngavie Primary School where she received the dux medal in 1934.

Her favourite subject was English and she was an avid reader. She also enjoyed sports, singing and performing and she was a member of three junior choirs.

Her daughter Christine said: “She would have liked to have gone to university but this was not an option for her as her mother was a widow and my mother had to work to support her.

“When she was about eight her father went to America to find work but sadly he never came back.”

Jean married Lewis McLean in 1948 and they had two children, Christine and John.

When they were older she worked in the Burgh Office in Milngavie and she was there in her best outfit and hat when the Queen opened Milngavie Town Hall in about 1965.

She then went to work at Milngavie Police Station where she typed up reports.

All her life she was involved in various groups and committees - she was on the first Milngavie Week committee in the 1960s.

She joined Milngavie Bowling Club which was a huge part of her life - organising social activities as well as playing bowls.

Jean took up golf when she retired in 1983 from her final job as head typist at Maryhill Police Station.

She was a member of Clober Golf Club and ladies captain in 1992.

As well as this she enjoyed public speaking and often gave the response to the toast to the lassies at local Burns Nights.

She also joined Milngavie Writers Group and had a talent for funny stories and poems. People frequently asked her to compose personal poems for special birthdays and anniversaries.

Christine added: “Many people have said my mother was inspirational.

“She was a huge presence in our family life and will be sorely missed. However she has left us with fond, happy memories and a large collection of her stories and poems to treasure.”

She is survived by her daughter Christine, grandsons Colin, Ewan and Andrew and four great grandchildren - Sophie, Megan, Emily and Michael.