Farewell to RNLI fundraising stalwart Carol McMinn

Carol McMinn (née Duffy) was well-known in the town for her involvement with the local RNLI, with whom husband Ian is a volunteer, and for having once run local pub The Auld Hoose.

She also latterly worked in the newspaper kiosk at the town’s train station.

Born in Ayrshire on December 6, 1958, Carol, who was an only child, moved to North Berwick with her mother as a teenager, after she had left school.

She worked at the Marine Hotel, becoming the face of their reception and welcoming people to North Berwick.

It was during her time at the Marine that she met Ian – they were together for 38 years.

The couple did not have children but were a much-loved auntie and uncle to their nephew and three nieces.

Carol McMinn

They once ran the Wemyss Hotel in Port Seton and the Winton Arms in Pencaitland; while Ian was previously licensee at The Plough Tavern, Haddington.

In 1992, Carol and Ian took over North Berwick’s The Auld Hoose pub on Forth Street. They were in charge for 15 years, leaving in 2007 and moving into a flat nearby.

After leaving The Auld Hoose, Carol worked in the newspaper kiosk at North Berwick’s train station, routinely delivering papers to people who were unable to leave their house.

She would often stay for a quick chat.

The job at the kiosk suited her well as she enjoyed waking up early in the mornings –sometimes as early as 5.30am – and finishing at lunchtime.

Carol shared 68-year-old Ian’s love for the sea and the RNLI, which he has been part of for more than 40 years.

Ian is divisional launching authority, and was previously an active crew member and the lifeboat operations manager.

Carol supported her husband and his fellow RNLI crew members by actively and regularly fundraising, helping with coffee mornings, fêtes and raffles.

She was also box secretary for many years, responsible for arranging all of the collection boxes in and around the town.

Family, friends, RNLI crew members and some of those that loved and knew Carol lined the streets near North Berwick lifeboat station to pay their respects

Her commitment to the RNLI was recognised a couple of years ago when she was issued a medal for over 30 years of service to fundraising.

Carol also loved to travel and would often go on holidays with friends.

She had rheumatoid arthritis for about 20 years, bearing it with good grace, but her death, as a result of heart problems, on the morning of December 29, aged 62, was sudden and unexpected and leaves a large void in the community.

She died peacefully at home with Ian by her side.

Rhona Meikle, North Berwick RNLI’s press officer and a long-term friend of Carol’s, described her as a “real community person”.

She said: “The RNLI was something she was so passionate about, all the crew knew her really well.

“She always took the time to chat to people and help them out.”

Family, friends, RNLI crew members and some of those that loved and knew Carol lined the streets near North Berwick lifeboat station to pay their respects to Carol

Carol’s funeral took place last Thursday, with family, friends and crew from North Berwick RNLI among those lining the road outside the lifeboat station in tribute as the funeral cortege passed.

Rhona added: “The large turnout, despite it being a cold snowy day, showed how much Carol was loved and how well thought of she was in the community.

“She will be sadly missed and we will do our very best to support Ian at this sad time.

“The fundraising work that Carol supported us in will continue but it will be that bit harder without her.”

Carol was cremated at Mortonhall Crematorium, with only 11 people able to attend the service due to Covid-19 restrictions.