ANN WATTERS, a stalwart of Kirkcaldy civic society, has died at the age of 86.
Mrs Watters lived most of her adult life in the town, where she was a teacher, science education adviser, a councillor for the Dunnikier ward and chairperson of the civic society.
Born in London in 1926 to Gordon and Elinor Douglas, both of whom came originally from the Lothian and Borders area, she completed her schooling at St Leonard’s in St Andrews during the Second World War and then read science at London University (Bedford Ladies College), graduating with a BSc in 1947.
In 1949 she married dentist Norman Watters and accompanied him to South Africa, where they lived for three years.
They returned to London and then, in 1953, moved to Kirkcaldy, where Mr Watters bought the dental practice at 16 Wemyssfield.
Mrs Watters ran the family home, gained a graduate diploma in teaching at Moray House in Edinburgh and taught science at Templehall School before becoming a science education adviser with Fife County Council.
During this time she set up the East Wemyss Environmental Centre, which offered hands-on experiences to generations of children.
Her great contribution to Kirkcaldy was as chairperson of the civic society for 24 years. She was made an MBE in recognition of her service.
For more than 20 years she represented Dunnikier on Kirkcaldy District Council and then Fife Council, firstly as a Liberal Democrat and later as an independent.
After her husband’s death in 1996 she was elected an honorary vice-president of Bowhill People’s Burns Club and published two collections of his Burns supper addresses.
Mrs Watters, who was an active member of West End Congregational Church for 58 years, died peacefully in a nursing home in Belper, Derbyshire, where she spent her final six months.
She is survived by her son David, daughter Fiona, six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Late last year she achieved one final ambition to meet her first great-grandchild.