Remembering one of Kirkcaldy’s oldest residents who has died aged 106

Elizabeth (Betty) Craig passed away recently. She celebrated her 106th birthday in March. She is pictured with local councillor Judy Hamilton, representing Fife Council and Col Jim Kinloch DL, who represented the Lieutenancy. Pic: Andrew Beveridge/Fife Council.

Elizabeth, who was better known as Betty, was born on March 12, 1914 in St. Andrews where she grew up and attended West and East Infant Primary School then went on to The Burgh and finally Madras College.

Betty left school at 14 years worked in Fletchers Haberdashery Shop and at the age of 18, she went on to do her nursing training in The Cottage Hospital in St. Andrews, Auchterarder Hospital.

She then came to the Fever Hospital in Kirkcaldy where that she met her husband, Bert.

Kirkcaldy woman Elizabeth Craig aged 20. She recently passed away aged 106.

They married at the Station Hotel, St. Andrews in 1939 and spent their honeymoon in Montrose.

They set up house in Harcourt Road, Kirkcaldy for 15 years before moving to St. Kilda Crescent where Betty stayed for 62 years before going into Raith Manor where she has been for nearly four years.

The couple had two daughters Mary and Margaret and son-in-laws Frank and Ian.

Betty also had an extended family of six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and five great-great- grandchildren.

Following retirement Betty spent a lot of time with the Salvation Army and St. John’s Church – now Bennochy Church).

She also loved to play dominoes - she and a friend won a tournament in 1982 at Templehall Community Centre where they beat a men’s team.

Betty was very happy at Raith Manor and the staff could not do enough for her.

She still enjoyed playing dominoes every day with her family and friends who very rarely beat her!

Betty’s funeral is due to take place at 11:00am on Monday. Due to the current restrictions, it will be immediate family only.