Jim Laurie
Born: June 4, 1933;
Died: May 10, 2026
Jim Robert Laurie, who has died aged 92, was the eldest son of Robert P Laurie and Mary B Laurie, elder brother to the late Robert Laurie and the late Eleanor Scott Smith (nee Laurie).
The family initially lived in Glasgow, at 10 Lawrence Street, just off Byres Road. At the outbreak of the Second World War the children and their mother Mary were evacuated briefly to a farm in Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire. Jim's mother Mary was not happy to stay there, and she insisted her husband bring the family back to Glasgow, saying that "she would rather face the bombs"! Jim's parents then made the decision to move to Largs, a place they had visited previously for family holidays, where they set up home at 53 Gateside Street.
Before the war, Jim had attended Dowanhill Primary School in Glasgow. When the family moved to Largs, he attended Largs Primary School then Largs High School. He subsequently attended Ardrossan Academy.
Jim met his future wife, Isabella "Ishbel" MacFarlane MacGarvie in 1950, when they were both attending a school exchange trip to Paris. Ishbel, adept at drama and languages, was 16 and a pupil at Marr College, Troon; and Jim, a singer, was 17 and a pupil at Ardrossan Academy. While on the train to Paris, Jim offered to lift Ishbel's heavy suitcase onto the luggage rack. From her luggage label he memorised Ishbel's address, and on his return to Scotland wrote to her, and a romance soon blossomed. Jim and Ishbel were engaged in 1957, while Jim was at a Scout camp as a Scoutmaster, near Troon, Ishbel's hometown.
Jim attended the Royal Technical College, now Strathclyde University, from 1952-1956, and graduated as a Pharmacist MPS in 1956. After his graduation and national service, he initially worked as a pharmaceutical rep and then as a pharmacist in Greenock and West Kilbride.
Later, he owned two local independent pharmacy shops in Largs. His first was on Brisbane Road, Largs, then, when his father Robert Laurie died in 1971, he also ran the pharmacy shop in Aitken Street, Largs. The shops were known locally as the "Laurie Chemist Shops" and Jim was a well-known, dedicated, and devoted local pharmacist for many years. Jim retired in 1994.
Jim was conscripted for his two years national service with the Royal Navy from 1957-1959, training at HMS Raleigh near Plymouth. He served on the HMS Brigand, where he gained his Ocean Navigation Certificate in 1958 while stationed in Malta.
Jim married Ishbel MacGarvie on 8th July 1959 at St Meddan's Church, Troon. They spent their honeymoon in the Lake District, at Borrowdale, a place where they would later return for their anniversaries. They spent many happy holidays walking, having picnics and rowing in the Lake District.
Jim and Ishbel had six children: twin daughters Ellen Sinclair and Alison Laurie-Chalmers, Isobel McMath, David Laurie, Katharine Jones and Ruth Lowe.
In 1959, Jim and Ishbel set up home initially in Burnside Road, Largs. As their family grew, they moved in 1966 to Barr Crescent. Many happy years were spent in this house and garden, entertaining family and friends. The family parties were legendary, with meals often for over two dozen, followed by family musical entertainment and ceilidhs.
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From an early age Jim was a devoted member of St Columba's Parish Church, Largs, and in later years he became a senior elder, treasurer and roll keeper. He was also a longstanding member of the church choir. Jim was also a member of the Presbytery of Ardrossan, which was responsible for 31 congregations in the Cunningham District of North Ayrshire.
As a member of the Presbytery Jim represented the area at the Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh. Jim also assisted Ishbel in the setting up of the ‘Largs St Columba Experience’, promoting the history of St Columba's Church and of Largs. Jim and Ishbel retired from church duties in 2010, when they received commendation for their outstanding service.
Jim's main hobby and passion in life was singing. He was gifted with a beautiful baritone voice and started singing while still at school. His early singing talent was noted at the Ayrshire Music Festival, where a critic reported that he should consider a professional singing career.
He became a longstanding member of the Largs Amateur Operatic Society, performing several leading baritone roles, such as Danilo in The Merry Widow, Captain Andy in Showboat, Pooh Bah in The Mikado and the Poet in Kismet. Jim and Ishbel were also members of the Greenock Philharmonic Choir and the St Columba’s Parish Church Choir, and they were regularly involved in local Burns Recitals.
In addition, Jim was a Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Largs Masonic Lodge 173, a past president of the Largs Rotary Club, and latterly a member of the Friends of the Rotary Club.
Jim was involved in many local charities and community groups and in regular volunteer work, including, along with Ishbel, being trustees for Haylie House Care Home. He also assisted Ishbel with the invaluable volunteer group Meals on Wheels in the Largs area for many years.
In their later years, Jim and Ishbel moved together into Haylie House Residential Care Home, so Jim could be with Ishbel when she needed additional care. Jim became very much part of the community of the care home, taking part in many of their celebratory concerts, Burns lunches, pantomime performances, Gentlemen's Groups and Bridge Club events.
Ishbel died with Jim by her side, on 31st December 2023. Jim continued to stay on at Haylie House Care Home where he received excellent care and attention.
Jim died after a brave battle with a short illness, with his loving family around him. They read to him, sang him familiar songs, and played music as he went on his way. He had been able to see, speak to and spend precious time with all of his children, and with some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other family members, his minister, staff from Haylie House, and also some friends from the Rotary club.
Jim is survived by his much-loved six children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, his nephews, his cousin and his late cousin's families.
With an ever-growing family ahead, his love and legacy lives on.
Jim was always there to listen and give good advice, not only to all his family, but also to his many friends, and to his staff and customers at his local shops. He touched the lives of many through his selfless acts of kindness and generosity. He was a family mentor and patriarch, giving unwavering love, guidance, and support right to the end. He was a wonderful dad and character, and he will be forever missed by all his family, and by everyone who knew him.
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