WINIFRED (known as Winnie) Scott (nee Goulding) was born on April 20, 1932, and came to Tranent in 1953 following her marriage to a local lad, John Scott.

They settled in Fa’side Crescent and she lived there until her death on April 13, 2022 – one week before her 90th birthday.

She died suddenly after a very short illness in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with her family around her.

John unfortunately died very suddenly in July 1982 and Winnie found she was a widow at only 50 years old.

At the time of his death, John was the janitor at Tranent Infant School and Winnie the dinner lady.

Following her bereavement and after a bit of time off work, with a visit to New Zealand to be with her younger, dearly loved sister Alice, Winnie started work again with East Lothian Council, delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly.

She was a hugely popular figure going to people’s houses – always with a beautiful smile.

An ex-colleague at that time, Maureen Irvine, posted on Facebook: “So, so sorry Irene, your aunt Winnie was a much-loved past colleague of mine, I called her the 'Meals on Wheels Lady', based at Wedderburn House. She did a spectacular job for the community.”

She took up bowls at this time and met Robert Small in 1984 on the bowling green.

Robert was a widower – he too lost his partner at a very young age – and, after a few years, he and Winnie set up home together – for purely practical reasons i.e. sharing one rent and all the bills.

Their friendship and love for each other endured for almost 40 years.

He was her “salvation” and she had found love second time around, she always said.

John and Winnie never had a family of their own – such a pity as they both adored children and thought themselves so lucky to work in the primary school with them.

Both gave all their love therefore to their two nieces and a nephew, Irene, Janice and David – and Winnie also adored their children who came along subsequently, Barry, Fiona, Callum, Lauren and Katie, and who all loved her dearly.

When the Clark Community Choir (Generations Singing Together) was formed in 2010 in Musselburgh, Winnie joined and simply loved singing along with her family (brother, sister-in-law, two nieces and her great niece).

She performed in many concerts, with a favourite of hers being the choir singing Highland Cathedral, although she could barely get to the end without crying.

She was a Tranent “legend” – known to all for her cheery smile – and will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her dearly loved partner Robert (95), her older brother Jim (94), and wee sister Alice (81).

A celebration of her life will be held in Tranent Parish Church on Friday, May 13, at 10am. Thereafter to Tranent Cemetery to be laid to rest with her beloved husband John.

Irene Winifred Grant

Niece and Godchild