A young Largs woman flew across the world to pay a touching tribute to her grandmother, Elsa Douglas, at her funeral service last week.

Fiona Douglas, who now lives and works in Perth, Western Australia, lined up with her sister, brother and cousin at St John's Church, to speak about Elsa, a born and bred Largs lady who died in hospital at the age of 78 and had been a stalwart of the local theatre world.

Fiona told the packed congregation that her gran had died on January 25 saying: "For us it is no longer Robert Burns Day, it is Elsa Douglas day. She's stolen the show once again."

Reverend Jonathan Fleming, who conducted the service, said that Elsa had been born in Gateside Street in 1940 to Jimmy 'Tug' Morris and wife Ina and from her early years loved dancing and performing. She used to sail catamarans from Cairney's Quay with her dad who was involved in sailing.

After schooling at Largs Higher Grade and Ardrossan Academy she graduated in radiography, beginning her career in health at Kirkcaldy Hospital.

She married her husband of 58 years, Hamish Douglas, in 1961 and worked at Greenock Royal Infirmary and Glasgow Western. They bought the family home in Lovat Street, Largs in 1965.

In latter years she became an aromatherapist, helping many people in the community but was also well known as a great, creative baker, having learned much from her father who had a bakery business.

However, as her elder son Hugh conveyed in his eulogy her great passion was theatre, having been a leading light in the reformation of Largs Players in the 60s.

He said that, standing at 5ft inch, "our mum was a warm, compassionate and feisty wee woman" who was a star on and off the stage. One of her memorable roles was as Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Kelburn Castle. Through her lifetime involvement, the Players had became a family affair with husband, children and grandchildren playing their parts. Elsa was delighted to be made an Honorary Member of the club.

Hugh ended his eulogy with the poem to a mother: "If roses grow in heaven, Lord pick a bunch for me, place them in my mother's arms, and tell her they're from me."

Elsa is survived by Hamish, sons Hugh and Paul, daughter Nicola and grandchildren, Fiona, Emma, Craig and Rhona.

A substantial sum was collected by the congregation for McMillan Cancer Support, and Elsa's hearse did a final tour of the town she loved before a short committal at the new crematorium.