Real Lives: Loved ones were so lucky to have known Margaret

A much-loved Portobello grandmother, whose unassuming ways carried her through many hardships, has died at the age of 92.

Tributes have been paid to Margaret Sibbald, a wartime Fire Warden, Portobello grocer's assistant, and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Mrs Sibbald worked as a shop assistant, serving her neighbours and friends in Portobello and Joppa, before turning her attention to family after the Second World War.

During the war, she was a Fire Warden and was on duty during the first Luftwaffe attack on the Forth Bridge.

Son Frank Sibbald said of his mother: "She was unassuming and undemanding yet always down to earth and strangely approachable. She certainly had more friends than enemies.

"From her birth she had suffered difficulties and setbacks, but her regular summary of her life was 'I've been lucky'. Perhaps those who have known and loved her are the lucky ones."

Mrs Sibbald was born Margaret Strathie McQuillan, to fishmongers' assistants Patrick and Isabella McQuillan.

Mr McQuillan, a Seaforth Highlander, died at the age of 27 in the first great tank battle of the First World War when Peggy was just 18 months old, and she carried his picture with her throughout her life.

Mrs Sibbald grew up with her mother and maternal grandfather, Davie Aitken, in Pipe Street. Mr Aitken was a railwayman who lost a leg in an accident, and the family had to survive on his pension of 2/6 a week.

Mrs Sibbald attended Tower Bank and Portobello High School before going to a commercial college off Easter Road, and worked as a shop assistant at Mould's the Grocer in Joppa as well as the Co-op beneath her next home on Portobello High Street.

She married Billy Sibbald on March 19, 1941 in the Plaza Ballroom in Morningside.

Mr Sibbald was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Engineers, returning after the war, to his previous job with The Scotsman Publications where he became transport and production manager.

Their married life started at High Street, before they moved to Northfield Drive, where they brought up children Frank and Patricia. The family moved to Northfield Crescent in 1965 and this remained Mrs Sibbald's home until 2000, despite Billy's death in 1981, when she moved to Milton Grove before going to Jewel House.

She became a proud and loving mother-in-law to Frank's wife, Joyce, and Patricia's husband, Frank. Mrs Sibbald was also a devoted grandma to Scott and Dawn, and although unable to attend Scott's wedding to Orla in Dublin in July after suffering a stroke, there was hardly a dry eye when her short recorded message was played to guests.

She spoke often of her beloved Portobello and when asked recently what was the best thing about it, she replied: "Nothing was best, it was all great."