Fortunately medical science had progressed in the intervening years and Betty faithfully travelled to and from the Royal Infirmary for Joan ’ s dialysis treatments and regular in-patient stays .
It was around this time that the family moved to 188 Kingsbridge Drive , with St Oswald ’ s becoming their church .
A knock on their door on a dark evening in 1972 brought news that a kidney donor match had been found for Joan and she was whisked away for what was to be the first of her two transplants !
After five weeks in hospital , Joan was able to go home and seven months later was leading a normal life , having returned to work .
Betty herself started what would be a long career as an optician ’ s receptionist , latterly with Robert Japp in Victoria Road for whom she would work until she was a remarkable eighty years of age !
Sadly , as Joan ’ s health improved , father Jim developed cancer and , after two years of debilitating treatment , ultimately died in Mearnskirk Hospital in July 1978 leaving Betty with a 14 year old son to bring up on her own .
No stranger to adversity , Betty just got on with things and ultimately saw her son go to university , then to marry Caroline in 1988 and , in 2003 , to produce Betty ’ s adored grandson , Jamie .
With all her old neighbours either passing way or moving , Betty and Joan , for whom the long and steep staircase in their Kingsbridge Drive home was proving troublesome , moved to a more manageable and comfortable property in Busby .
In 2008 , Betty found herself in distinguished company when she shared a table with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a celebratory lunch to mark the 60 th anniversary of the NHS .
Sadly , that wasn ’ t to be her final link with health provision , but this time the outcome was a happier one when Joan received a second and successful kidney transplant with the donor being her brother Jim !
Betty enjoyed her retirement , remaining sharp of mind to the end and although her passing was sudden , it was merciful . She had had more than enough of hospitals and would have hated being admitted to one .
Betty died at home , close to those she loved .
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