Mary Scally (nee McClorey)


	MARY SCALLY
		(nee McClorey)
		1916-1998

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	On June 6th 1998, we lost our mother, grandmother and friend. Personally, she was my Granny Scally and was one of the most important people in my life.
Me and Gran in Hozier St., Coatbridge, Summer 1972?		Me and Gran in Jesmond Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Summer 1991

She was born in Airdrie, Scotland, in 1916 to Patrick McClorey and Bridget McClorey (nee Higgins). Patrick was a shoemaker and owned a shop in Airdrie. She was the second of six children; James, Kathleen, Bridie, John and Gerry, and she is the third one to leave us, Kathleen, John and Gerry remain.

In 1941 she married James Scally at St. Margaret's Church in Airdrie and they lived in Reddingmuirhead. They moved back to Airdrie and lived with her mother for a while before moving out to Salsburgh. Mum oftens tells us stories of living out there in what seemed liked the middle of nowhere. She always used to tell us how lucky we were when we complained ... when she was young she had to walk miles to the nearest school in snow, sleet and rain.

Gran in her younger days, 1939.


Gran on the beach, date?.	Gran and Tom, date?	Gran, Grandad and Mum on her graduation, date?	Gran's Siblings, date?

In all Gran had six children; Ann, Patricia, John, James, Tom and Kathleen. Around 1955 they moved to the big house at Thankerton which, unfortunately, has been razed to the ground. Grandpa died in 1971 leaving Gran with three children still needing raised and the rest still relying heavily on her support and guidance. Thankerton House was sold and the remainder of the family moved to Laird Street Coatbridge. She went to work at St. Phillips List D School, a school for delinquent boys, where she was the matron until 1982.

Gran and Dad in the grounds of Thankerton House, 1966.

	As the grandchildren began to multiply, Gran was always there as a rock in our lives. Many times we would all end up at Laird Street over the weekends and the feeding of what seemed like five thousand, would take place. Us kids were usually very pleased to be fed fish and chips from "The Red Brig" while Gran would make a pot of curry or something else equally good for the adults.
My First Communion Day with my two Grans, May 1977


Gran and some of the family at Laird St., 197?.	Gran, Mum and Dad, 197?	Gran in the sun, Laird Street, 197?	Gran and grandchildren, Cumbernauld, Christmas, 197?

She managed to do some travelling in the later years of her life. Ann lived out in Kenya for several years and Gran visited several times. Her brother John was a missionary in Brunei and she travelled there a couple of times and toured the area. She also managed to join us on many family holidays to such exotic locations as; Southerness, Cotherstone, Bournemouth and Mallaig.
	Gran and Celia partying on the beach at Southerness ... especially Gran, July 1978.

In 1982 she sold her house in Coatbridge to my mum and dad and moved into a "Granny Flat" that was part of the house Uncle John built in Lochwinnoch. She clung desperately to her independence continuing to drive long after it was really safe. On several occasions she had us search the countryside when she set out for home from our place but never arrived at the expected time. It would always turn out that she had decided to stop off and visit some person or other.

Gran and Stella Marie in the house at Lochwinnoch, Summer 1984

As happens to us all, she got older and health problems set in. She developed Osteoporosis before anyone knew what it was. The doctors tried all kinds of things to help with this newly recognised disease. She started to shrink in height till she was dwarved by her growing grandchildren and her mobility became more and more restricted.
	The Scallys and the Creaneys, Laird Street, Christmas 1988.

	She moved to Shotley Bridge, near Newcastle Upon Tyne, in England when John got a job down there. During her time there she had a knee replacement but she never got her full mobility back and became entirely dependent on others to go anywhere. When John got a job in Jersey she wanted to come back home. She ended up in Deanston in Coatbridge where she spent the last years of her life.
Tom's Family at Laird Street, Christmas 1997.

My Gran was one of the most inspirational people in my life. She always believed in me and supported me. She leaves behind 1 sister and 2 brothers, 6 children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren many with spouses/partners and her first great grand child is due in July. She loved us all dearly and her family meant more to her than anything. I doubt any of us remain untouched by her life and she will always remain in our hearts.
Love you, Gran xxx

Mum and Gran at Laird Street, July 1996.

Follow the arrow to see the obituaries that appeared in various newspapers and the funeral program.

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Want to fill in the dates that are missing here? Want me to add your favourite story about Gran? Want me to add a picture or piece of information? email me: mj@moonstar.com