TRIBUTES have been paid to a well known member of the Stevenston after she passed away recently.

Margaret Gooding, wife of former Stevenston politician Sam Gooding, died on July 21 aged 87 and will be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Margaret and Sam were married for more than 60 years and were are a dedicated couple.

The pair met after meeting in the Labour League of Youth and Margaret worked in the blasting department at Nobel alongside Sam before working as a cashier at Auchenharvie Swimming Pool and Herald reader Liam Griffin paid tribute to Margaret, he said: “Maggie was one of the first cashiers when the Auchenharvie swimming pool opened in 1973 along with Jean McDonald.

"Actually they were formidable in terms of their contribution to the running of the pool. I was a student in 1974 and had the privilege of subsequently managing the centre in the run up to, and beyond of the opening of Harvies – the new ice rink, pool, and fitness facilities in 1988.

“But these two people have influenced me to this day because of their humanity and generosity.

‘I don’t have any money but can I get in for a swim?’ was a frequent request from many poor kids.

“There were no freebies from Maggie or Jean because they would dip into their purses to pay for the entries. And it often did not end there because the kids were hungry and more subtle generosity would follow.

Thank you Maggie and acknowledgement to Jean.”

Our thoughts are with Sam and all of the family at this sad time.