May Monaghan nee Whytoch

As related by her daughter Christine Monaghan

Thank you for getting in touch and for the photograph.  It was my Auntie Christine (my mums younger sister) who saw your enquiry in the Evening News and you can imagine our pleasant surprise when you mentioned her by name; it is nice to know that she is still remembered by you.

As offered here is a little bit of her life to fill in the gaps since your schooldays.

Class 3A2 Leith Academy, 1949

May is 5th from left with Patricia Martin on her left.

John Stewart is 6th from left

L to R: Patricia Martin, Helen Pratt, Janet Rodgers, May Whytoch

Dr Bell`s Primary, 1946

She met my dad JImmy Monaghan when they both worked at James Inglis papermill on Newhaven road; my mum worked in the office and my dad was a machine man.

They were together for 54 yrs; married for 50 of them and they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary a year before she died. They bought a house in Pitt Street, Leith  and my mum left work once they began their family. I have 2 older brothers. She returned to James Inglis when I was 8 yrs old.

Unfortunately heart problems were detected (the result of Scarlet fever as a child) between the births of my brothers. This led to the first of 2 heart valve replacement operations over the years but wasn't too much of a problem until her later years and in the last 3 years of her life her heart deteriorated greatly resulting in her death in March 2007, 3 days after her 73rd birthday.

Once the childen were grown up, she and my dad moved to Corstorphine after my dad had a major accident at work leaving him disabled and my mum being his full time carer. The year before she died they had moved into sheltered housing in Stockbridge where she was very happy despite her health.

Her life wasn't always easy and she had to deal with quite a lot regarding family, but she very rarely complained and was a very generous woman who would always help others out if she could.

She enjoyed listening to music, reading, the theatre and cinema and was a regular church goer which was always a meaningful part of her life.

I hope what I've told you has been of some interest and at least given a little bit of background.

You mentioned Pat Martin in your article. I remember my mum telling me this was her best friend even after leaving school. I don't know if you have any info on her. All I can tell you is that  she moved to Canada and then to New  York  but my mum and she lost contact after this.

Kind Regards

Christine