Effie McGachie, who spent 38 years on the community council, including 33 at its helm, passed away last night (September 25) at the age of 95.
When she stepped down from the organisation seven years ago, she said “I never did any of it for recognition, I am just so fond of Renfrew and did everything for the benefit of the town.”
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Councillor John Shaw said it was with great sadness that he learned of the passing of such a remarkable person.
He said: “My first memories of Effie go back to my days at Newmains Primary in the 1970s, where she was the extremely kind auxiliary nurse, always on hand to patch up my oft-skint knees.
“This also led to my lifelong aversion to calling her “Effie”. She was, for the most part, always Mrs McGachie to me.
“Years later, I had the privilege of seeing her in action again when I joined Renfrew Community Council in 2011 and for the next five years, I had a front row seat to her utter determination to do the very best for our town.
“Her drive and commitment were a sight to behold, and her dedication to Renfrew was truly inspiring.”
A spokesperson for the community council added: “It was with great sadness we share news of the passing of Effie McGachie.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and all who knew her at this sad time.”
Effie’s contributions, however, went far beyond the community council and many people will also have fond memories of her time as a careers advisor, her role with the over 50s swimming club, and the many other projects she threw herself into over the years.
Born in Wales, she moved to Renfrew when she 17 when her Scottish father returned home to help construct the Braehead power station.
Despite initially wanting to train to be a teacher, she eventually joined the Inland Revenue, before leaving for the birth of her son, Iain, and later daughter, Jill.
Her husband and “soulmate”, was the late Jim, who died in 2000.
Just this past summer, she was the guest of honour as the Burgh flag was finally raised on Renfrew Town Hall and established as the building’s permanent third flag.
A move nearly 40 years in the making, it was made possible by Effie’s foresight and determination back in the 1980s which laid the foundations for the historic occasion.
Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron delivered a short speech on the day and explained how it was back in 1987 when the community council, chaired by Effie, petitioned the Lord Lyon for permission to use the Burgh coat of arms.
The request was eventually granted but it took four decades for the final product to materialise, with the venue finally signing off on the move after a motion was proposed to the local authority by Councillor Lisa Marie Hughes.
“It was Effie who kicked off the decades-long campaign to have the Renfrew Burgh flag flying once again above Renfrew Town Hall,” added Cllr Shaw.
“It was very special that she saw the campaign concluded successfully just a few weeks ago, in what her daughter Jill tells me was her final public outing.
“The event we had that day was entirely down to Effie, who had given me into trouble for not having tea and cakes organised when I phoned her with the good news after the meeting that confirmed the flag could be flown.
“I then spoke to the Provost, and from that the celebration was organised, with Effie as guest of honour, picked up in the Provost’s car and rightly recognised for her role.
“Effie gave so much of herself to our community over many decades and she will be deeply missed.
“My thoughts are with her family and all who knew her at this sad time. Rest in peace, Effie.”
