Published: Wednesday, 24th February, 2010 1:16pm

Tributes paid to Effie Kerr

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Well-known and much-loved Millport character and photographer Effie Kerr was given a sunshine funeral service last Friday after a lifetime devoted to the island.

On a beautiful February morning hundreds of friends from Cumbrae and the mainland paid their respects to a remarkable lady who died suddenly in Inverclyde Hospital on Monday 15th.

Although being aged 83 the island was shocked to hear of the death of Effie who belied her octogenarian status and who, right up to the end, was photographer for the Largs & Millport News, played curling and was active in many other pursuits.

Tribute was led from the pulpit by Nicky Smith who officiated at the service in Cumbrae Parish Church of Scotland where Effie had been a long-serving member, former Women's Guild secretary and choral singer.

She said: "Effie and Walter Kerr recorded half-a-century of the social history of the island."

Born in Glasgow, the only daughter of George and Andrewina Osborne, Effie was brought to Millport at the age of five weeks old to live with maternal grandparents and two aunts after the death of her mother whom she, tragically never knew. Her christened name was Euphemia and she was brought up in Millport by her Aunt Effie and Aunt Jessie.

Educated at Cumbrae School and then at Rothesay Academy, she started work in 1944 as a laboratory technician and secretary to the British Iron and Steel Association who were working at the Marine Station, Millport, on the anti-fouling of ships during the war.

In 1948, she married Walter Kerr Jnr, elder son of Walter Kerr, the island coal merchant. At Friday's service the hymn, 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' which was played at the wedding rang out again.

After Walter's demob from the army he took instruction in photography and they bought a shop in Guildford Street which was a china and hardware store and a Photography department was set up and studio next door in 1959. In 1965 a second shop was purchased in Stuart Street. Work continued at Guildford Street until 1986 when it was sold as a going concern and Effie retired and Walter continued to work from the photo laboratory at home.

Effie was immersed in the community as a member of many sports clubs, including golf and bowling each of which she served as President of the ladies sections.

She was also the first lady President of both the Clay Pigeon Club and Millport Curling Club, a past president of Cumbrae Dramatic Club and a founder member of Cumbrae WRI. A keen baker, she was often seen at the bakery stalls of many fundraising events, and was in such diverse interests as the Gardening Club and Scrabble group. She was also appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

There was laughter in the church when it was revealed that Effie had been planning to join the gym to improve her fitness.

For decades the Kerrs holidayed in the same hotel in Tenerife every year and some friends they made travelled from England for the service.

On Walter's death in June 2007, after a marriage lasting 59 years, she took on the mantle as the photographer for the 'News', a job she loved and in her own words, 'was very well supported by the local community and Cumbrae School and by the Editor and staff of the local paper.' Indeed, the day after Walter's funeral she fulfilled a photographic engagement at the primary school.

Nicky Smith commented: "She embraced the new digital technology and was a familiar figure at all island events, balancing precariously on chairs or a ladder."

Nicky Smith said: "Effie was a lady who loved the Lord and her faith was a key element in her life. She is now reunited with her beloved Walter in life everlasting.

Her joy of life was perhaps best summed up by one of her most recent quotes: "Life perhaps begins at 40 it is said, but never give up, a second one begins at 80!"

It certainly did for Effie whose partnership with husband Walter will be forever remembered by the treasure trove of photographs bequeathed to the island.

Proceeds of her estate will be shared by the Scottish Air Ambulance service and the British Red Cross Society.