Largs couple died within seven days of each other

Betty and Daniel Tierney, both 79, gave their lifetime to helping others in the local community.

Betty was a manager at Haylie House Care Home for over 30 years and Daniel worked as a paramedic on call in Largs and surrounding area.

Son-in-law Andy Temple told the News that the duo were inseparable.

He said: "They were a remarkable couple, and they will be very much missed.

"Daniel followed in the footsteps of Betty when she started in the care professions.

"He wanted to get more involved in the community and make a difference. That's why he became a paramedic, serving Largs and surrounding areas for many years.

"He was dedicated to his job until he had to retire due to ill health. Daniel was very good at what he did and trained a lot of young ambulance technicians, so was well known at Inverclyde Royal Hospital too."

Betty was born and bred in Largs and started her career as a carer in Haylie House. She worked her way up to become the deputy manager and then manager, and then took an important role in the rebuilding and remodelling of Haylie in the early 90s after a fire ripped through at the home.

She later became a member of the board of trustees at the residential care home, ensuring the others got the benefit of her knowledge.

Daniel started his life working in Linwood at the car factory before going on to work at Wham's Drams factory at the former Viking Cinema building in Gogoside Road, run by well known local businessman Jimmy Wham.

He then became a paramedic and was on call 24 hours a day, with the ambulance parked outside the couple's family home in Flatt Road.

When the couple retired they bought a house in Meadowbank Road in Largs, but wanted to be closer to the town centre and moved to Silverdale Gardens.

They had two children Nicola Temple and Karen Hood, seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Andy explained their shared love of travel, adding: "They loved to go away on holiday and visited Egypt and the Pyramids. They loved going cruises to far flung places and they were constantly away on their camper van."

They couple were members of St Mary's Star of the Sea Church Parish Church on Largs seafront. They also loved their gardening and were frequent visitors to Cardwell Garden Centre.

Andy said: "They had great affection and care for each other. They very much worked as a team to help out each other and the entire family whenever necessary."

Daniel passed away on April 8 and Betty died on April 15.

Andy said: "The passing of Daniel from cancer was very sudden. He was rushed into hospital after taking unwell and passed away peacefully. It hit Betty very hard. She succumbed to grief and a broken heart and died just seven days later.

"We would like to thank everyone who have given us messages of support at this difficult time.

"Betty and Daniel have left an amazing legacy. They have helped so many people in the local area for many years and they will both be buried together at the Brisbane Glen Cemetery in Largs.

"Father Peter Magee at St Mary's Star of the Sea Church has been absolutely outstanding in his support for us and Robert Rarity Funeral Directors have been brilliant twice in a week.

"They gave their lives to helping others and that is quite something."

The double funeral of the loving husband and wife took place at St Mary's Star of the Sea Church.