A community has lined the streets to watch the funeral cortege of a local shopkeeper pass by the store she ran for around 50 years - one final time.
Pritam Kaur, known as Mrs Singh, passed away last month after health complications following a stroke at the age of 86, and loved ones bid their final farewell today.
She ran Harry’s Hardware shop in Cessnock which she opened with her husband Baldev Singh in 1972.
The pair quickly became pillars of the community leaving the area devastated by both their passing - as Baldev died in 2018.
Now their son Dara Singh has spoken to the Glasgow Times about the tragic loss and community reaction.
A community has lined the street to watch a mum pass by the shop she ran for around 50 years - one final time. pic.twitter.com/kCfWh3PWzR
— Kirsty Feerick (@KirstyFeerick) October 30, 2024
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He said: “My mum and dad took a gamble and opened the shop after coming to Glasgow, but people took to them right away.
“They ran the shop together and became pillars of the community, everyone knew them.
“Mum and dad never forgot the help they received in the early days and friendship with locals was never broken.
“People have come into the shop in tears after hearing my mother passed away.
“We wanted to take her by the shop one more time because it meant so much to her.
“There were dozens of people, patiently waiting, to catch the last glimpse of their beloved Mrs Singh.”
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The family first opened a small shop in Kinning Park in 1972 to make a living, while Baldev continued to travel to Wemyss Bay to work for John Lawrence Homes.
Meanwhile Pritam ran the shop with her oldest son Harry, while also trying to raise six children.
She immediately made friends in the community getting on so well that locals offered to help babysit while she worked in the shop.
The store was a huge success allowing them to open a larger shop in Cessnock in 1977 which they ran together and remains open today.
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Sharing the news on social media the shop said: “Since opening our little store in Kinning Park in 1972, nothing was more pleasurable for our parents than interacting with the local community.
“They both spoke highly of all those folk who came in as customers and left as friends.”
The community was quick to flood the comment section with their support for the family and tributes to Pritam.
Karyn Mackie said: “I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful lady she was. My condolences to you all.”
Stuart Brennan said: “Sorry for the loss thinking of all of the Singhs at this sad time.”
Ina Mclaughlin said: “So sorry to hear this sad news thinking of you all.”
Marion Mcbride said: “So very sorry for your sad loss, your mother was a remarkable lady.
“Will be keeping her and all the family in my thoughts and prayers.”
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