Real Lives: Maimie bowled everyone over as champion of her community

Published on Tuesday 24 June 2008 08:48

MARION NICHOLLS, a former bowling champion and committed community campaigner, has died at the age of 83.

Marion Nicholls, known as Maimie, was a former president of the Summerside Bowling Club, Leith, and one of only two women to be made honorary lifetime members of the club.

She was also dedicated to her community and set up an annual charity bowling match for St Columbus Hospice.

Brought up in Leith, Maimie attended Yardhead Primary and David Kilpatrick Secondary School.

During the Second World War she joined the Women's Royal Air Force and was stationed in London. Friends said she had been very proud of her service.

In 1950 she married Alfred Nicholls and worked with him in his butcher's shop on Newhaven Road.

A year later their first daughter, also called Marion, was born.

When the children were young, their parents took them on regular holidays to Europe, travelling to places such as France and Italy every year.

Maimie loved bowling and took part in competitions, winning many trophies along the way.

She was made an honorary lifetime member of the Summerside Street club for her contributions to the organisation and the local community.

Along with her husband she founded an annual charity game for St Columbus Hospice, raising over 1000 every year.

Summerside Bowling Club secretary Jimmy Scott, 65, said: "She was a very bubbly character, full of effervescence. When she took ill it was a surprise for everyone."

When her husband died Maimie moved to Bonnyrigg to be closer to her daughter. But she still came to Leith every other day to go to the bowling club.

A friend, Annie Robertson, 87, said: "I knew her for over 30 years. She was a very outgoing person. She did everything in the club. She was very dedicated and did everything to support the club. When she moved to Bonnyrigg it was quite a distance, but she came every other day.

"She was very highly respected in the club. She was full of fun, and loved Summerside. She was one of those people who never sat still."

Maimie died at Ellen's Glen House on June 17 after a short illness.

She is survived by her daughters Marion and Brenda and her son Alfred, as well as seven grandchildren, Steven, Keith, Neil, Fiona, Joshua, Jennifer and Jenna, and one great-grandson, Craig. Maimie's daughter, Marion Alves, said: "She adored her grandchildren and was always there giving them advice and keeping them right.

"They all respected her and loved her. We are all going to miss a good friend."

A funeral service will be held at Warriston Crematorium's Lorimer Chapel tomorrow.