Tess's story

Light up a Life is all about remembering someone who is no longer with us. This year, Tess Smyth's family have kindly chosen to share their reasons for lighting a light for a very much missed and special lady.

Tess was born and raised in the Gorbals, leaving when she married the love of her life, James (pictured here with daughter Clare and Carol Smillie at this year's Light up a Life Launch). Family was everything to Tess, and she was a devoted wife to James and mum to Angela, James, Clare and Tracy. As they were growing up in Queens Park, Tess not only loved and supported her own children, but always created a warm welcome for their friends, doing their ironing and even lending them her shoes!

There was never a day when Tess's children didn't know that she loved them and this continued as they moved on to start their own families, giving Tess and James ten beautiful grandchildren. Tess was there to help look after them all and could regularly be seen proudly pushing a double buggy down Victoria Road.

Tess loved laughter and her sharp wit was with her to the very last. She was a champion bowler, beating all the men at her bowling club and loved an evening at the bingo. She was a great friend and neighbour to many from lifelong friends to people she knew from the local shops.

Tess was diagnosed with incurable cancer in August 2009. As they always had, her family pulled together to provide as much care and support as they could, making sure that she had everything she needed. Latterly, she was admitted to the Hospice where both Tess and the family found great comfort. Tess passed away surrounded by those she loved the most on Sunday 6th December 2009.

Tess's family miss her very much, every day. Yet by creating such a close, loving household, Tess has also provided them with the ability to support each other through their sadness and loss. They are able to share memories and stories of the many happy times they had together with Tess, from holidays abroad to family Christmases.

Tess was a true light in the lives of her family and friends and her love and laughter brought them all warmth and brightness throughout their lives. It is for this reason that Angela, James, Clare and Tracy have chosen to light a light for Tess on this website, so they are able to share some of these wonderful memories of an amazing wife, mother, gran, sister and friends with others.