Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 2:00pm

Goodbye Mum: Tributes to Girvan's star

by Roisin McGroarty

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Proud daughter honours memory of Jean, an ex-reporter of Carrick Herald and the Ayr Advertiser Series

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Girvan resident and former Carrick Herald reporter who had died.

Joan Smith, 91, sadly passed away after a six-year battle with Alzheimer"s but for years was a well-known figure in the town.

Until her retirement in 1996 Joan had been an integral part of the Carrick Herald news team for over 40 years.

Starting out with her column Soap Box at Stumpy, she took over her husband James" job at the paper when he died in 1960.

From there she worked tirelessly for the Carrick Herald while bringing up her two children, daughter Linda and son Robin.

Daughter Linda Latimer said: 'We were only 10 and 13 when she began working from home. She loved it and she didn"t have a car so she did everything by foot. She went to the town council meetings on a Monday night and doodle while they were discussing events. She was very clever.'

Staying at 42 Wilson Street, before moving to Southpark Avenue, Joan was prominent in Carrick and helped several people - and that kindness was repaid when she fell ill.

Linda added: 'She was very week known and when Alzheimer"s struck her we kept her at home for as long as we could and the people of Carrick looked after her."

For the full story and tributes read this week's paper - on sale now!