TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved stalwart of the Clydebank musical theatre scene.

Irene Muirhead, from Drumry, died at the age of 80 on April 10.

She joined the Clydebank Musical Society in 1982, performing in the chorus of Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, Calamity Jane, Finian’s Rainbow, Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game, Oliver!, Hello Dolly, and Kiss Me Kate.

Irene then performed her swansong on stage for Guys and Dolls again in 1994.

Andy MacQueen, CMS chairman, told the Post: “During these performances Irene built and formed friendships that would last a lifetime.

“Many such friendships were the result of Irene’s infectious laugh and her ability to have fun and make the most of her time on the stage.

“From here, Irene became a much-loved committee member in 1987, and then a member of the executive committee in 1994, when she became administrator for CMS, a position she held with pride for almost 20 years.

“Although she stepped down as administrator in 2013, Irene was still a trustee for OSCR, and dealt with our Gift Aid submissions among many other duties, such as ticket secretary, front of house manager and membership secretary for adult and juniors.

“For me, she was my moral compass; she helped me to see the impact we have on people around us with our words and actions, and Irene’s actions were always for the greater good of our beloved society and her friends.”

Margaret Coates, who became close friends with Irene after joining CMS in 1982, paid tribute to her “loyal” and “supportive” friend.

She said: “She was absolutely brilliant. She was funny, articulate, and on the ball with one liners.

“She called a spade a shovel and she didn’t beat around the bush.

“I can’t believe she’s gone and I don’t know what life will be like without her, she was such a big part of it.

“She was a great, loyal and supportive friend to me when difficult decisions had to be made.

“My husband sadly passed away in 1987 and Irene and I became much closer friends then.

“We went on two or three holidays a year for many years.

“Carla, who is also involved in CMS, was very friendly with us and the three of us used to do loads together.

“We once went paragliding - Irene and I were in one aircraft and Carla was in another.

“I said I was frightened and Irene just shoved me in the back and said ‘Move!’

“That’s the type of friend she was.

“She faithfully bought the Post every single week and she read it cover to cover.

“If there was anything she thought I might be interested in, she would keep the paper for me, even if it meant raking it out of the bin.”