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Ann Crosbie

Ann Crosbie was born in Govan in 1930. Her parents were both from Glasgow. Her mother was a bookkeeper in a grocer's shop from school until her marriage 14 years later, then stayed at home until 28 years later, when she worked part-time in a local newsagent's shop. Her parents were from the north of Scotland, from Ross-shire and Inverness. Ann's father was a marine engineer. His parents lived in Glasgow; Ann can remember visiting them every Sunday and sitting on her grandfather's knee at an open window. Her grandmother was a semi-invalid in a wheelchair who died in 1938, 2 years after her husband. Ann cannot remember ever getting a kiss or a cuddle from her. Ann's parents worked hard to provide their children with a good home. Her brother was 8 years younger than her and was her "baby" - they were always very close. They were brought up to attend church and Sunday school and were taken there every Sunday by both parents.

Ann was very close to her paternal "Granda", a ship's carpenter who often sailed in and out of the Clyde. He would come to visit when he was ashore, humming "The Keel Row" and making sure she did the correct steps when dancing the Highland Fling. When she was 4, he brought her a white West Highland pup, but her mother made him take it away. Her collie dog, which she had kept since before her marriage, had to be destroyed after Ann was born because it was so jealous and wouldn't eat. She vowed that she would not have another dog because it had been like a human death. Ann's grandfather gave her a canary instead. He accidentally fell in the Clyde one foggy night, and became blind a year later. He went to live in the north with his children there until he died in his 80s. Ann only saw him once a year after he moved, but he always remained special to her.

Ann with her great-grandmother Ann (pictured left with her great-grandmother) attended Carnwardie Primary School, and after her qualifying exam went to Shawlands Academy. She left school in her fourth year and worked in the Glasgow Corporation (now Glasgow City Council). She began as an office junior in the Health and Welfare Department and worked her way through several departments. She became a shorthand typist in the City Laboratory after studying shorthand and typing at night school.

After 6 years there, Ann felt "called" to offer herself for service overseas with the Church of Scotland. She was accepted for training at the Women's Missionary College - St. Colm's in Edinburgh, studying there from September 1953 to December 1954. She sailed for Nigeria in British West Africa in January 1955. She stayed for 13 years as treasurer of the mission council until she was evacuated at the start of the Biafran War. She enjoyed her time there, but on returning to Scotland in 1967 she decided to stay, as the political situation in Africa was too unstable.

Ann went back to work in the City Laboratory for 4 years, but wished to work more closely with people. She became a social work assistant in 1972, eventually gaining a place at Moray House College in Edinburgh where she qualified as a social worker. She worked in several areas on the south side of Glasgow until retiring in 1990. She found social work to be an interesting but challenging career, dealing with people in all types of situations from "the cradle to the grave".

Ann has lived in District Council housing with mod cons most of my life; she bought her council maisonette 10 years ago. The Church has played a great part in her life, and she is still involved as a Church Elder and member of the Woman's Guild. She never married. Her brother married and emigrated to Australia, where he had a daughter and 2 sons. His daughter is married with 2 children, and Ann has a very close relationship with her. One of the worst periods in Ann's life was being evacuated from Nigeria, and 9 months later losing both her parents within a week of each other. Her hope for the future is peace throughout the world, and a decent standard of living for everyone.