TRIBUTES have been paid to “a great sister and fantastic auntie”, who was well known for her sports and news photography.

Joyce Hunnam, of Gullane, passed away on September 10 at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The 66-year-old was “camera obsessed” and had taken pictures at a variety of sporting events, including the Solheim Cup.

Her younger sister Jennifer, who lives in Cockenzie, said: “Joyce was very supportive.

“She cared very much about her family, our mum Nancy, myself and her niece Alix.

'Very caring'

“She was very caring. She was camera obsessed and anything she did was with enthusiasm.

“She did not just do a half job.”

Joyce had worked for the Scottish Government as a sports policy officer and was a regular contributor to the East Lothian Courier’s camera club page on Facebook.

In 2014, she was one of those lucky enough to run with the Queen’s Baton through the coastal village ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The dedicated Celtic FC fan was also on hand as her good friend Catriona Matthew guided Team Europe to their first win on home soil in the Solheim Cup since 2011 at Gleneagles in 2019.

'Great photographer and great person'

The 2009 Women’s British Open winner described Joyce as “one of my best friends” and said her death came as “a real shock”.

She said: “Joyce had been ill for a few months but the suddenness of everything was desperately sad.

“I was glad I got to see her a few times in her last week or so and she, her sister and some other friends managed to get a paddle in the sea, which was one of her last wishes.

“Joyce was well-known to many in both golf and sports, a long-time member of Gullane Golf Club, avid volunteer and follower of most sporting events including multiple Solheim Cups, Ladies British Opens, Ladies Scottish Opens, Commonwealth and Olympic Games, and Celtic FC.

“A great photographer and a great person.

“She was very fond of my daughters Katie and Sophie, watched them grow up over the years and looked after them many times.”

'Kind and generous'

Iain Monk, who also lives in Gullane, worked alongside Joyce at the Scottish Government.

He said: “I first met Joyce when she worked for the Scottish Government, she was highly respected by her colleagues.

“She had a keen interest in sport, particularly golf and the Commonwealth Games.

“She was a well-liked member of the Gullane community and it is here she built a reputation for her beautiful photographs of local landscapes. I will miss her kind and generous spirit.”