Ruth Smith, a former sister in charge of the Queen Mother Wing at Arbroath Infirmary, has died peacefully at home. She was 77.
Born to Henry and Isabella Smith among 10 siblings, she helped out with the family business as one of the eldest children.
The family stayed in the “fit o’ the toon” fishing community and Ms Smith remained there until a recent move to a home in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire.
Her responsibilities growing up stood her in good stead for her career.
She attended Ladyloan School and Arbroath High School before going into nursing training.
Between 1954 and 1955 she worked in a local children’s nursing home, then trained at Stracathro Hospital, near Brechin, until 1958.
She underwent maternity training at Dunfermline Maternity Hospital.
Two months after the Queen Mother Wing opened at Arbroath in 1961, Ms Smith came to work there and remained until retirement aged 60.
She was well respected by staff there and her contribution to the ward is still recognised by many midwives.
She was widely travelled during her working life and maintained many interests in retirement until ill health took its toll.
She volunteered for two years at the Macmillan Centre in Stracathro after her retirement, was on several committees and was a regular churchgoer.
Ms Smith was blessed with a number of god-children, nephews and nieces, and her family said she was very supportive of them.