Tributes paid after mum dies suddenly

Sandra Chadwick, 45, of Southhouse Broadway, Burdiehouse, had been out with her ice cream van Sam’s Ices in the Southhouse area on Saturday night.

She then went to the Waverley Inn, where she also worked as a barmaid, before heading back home and collapsing outside the front door. Just days before she had celebrated her 45th birthday.

It is believed Ms Chadwick lay in the driveway for around half an hour before she was discovered by her son, Sean.

She was taken to the ERI and then on to the Western General, where she was put on life support for 18 hours before she lost her fight for life.

Devastated colleagues at the Waverley, where Ms Chadwick had worked for two years, closed the pub on Sunday as a mark of respect and anxiously waited inside on news of her condition.

Licencee Catherine Kay said: “The community is absolutely stunned. The customers have actually started a collection and I’m completely overwhelmed by how kind people have been.

“Sandra was well known in the community. It was just really sudden.

“She was a really hard worker – she worked during the day and then went out to do a round in the ice cream van.

“At the end of the day she used to come in with her change from the ice cream van and we’d change it for notes.

“She had come in that night and chatted to a couple of customers and the barmaid.

“When one of our barmaids, Theresa Trotter, left here to go home she drove past and saw that Sandra was lying there. Sandra’s son Sean was there and he was trying to call his dad, who was out with his taxi.

“She got out and waited for the ambulance to arrive.

“It’s so hard for all of the staff and the customers – we miss her so much already.”

Originally from Bingham, Ms Chadwick helped set up Bluebird Private Hire at Newtoft Street and used to work as a taxi controller there.

Three years ago she set up her own ice cream van, Sam’s Ices, along with her partner Sammy Woodford, 67.

She had three sons, Kenneth, 27, Warren, 23 and Sean, and four grandchildren, Logan, Mhia, Struan and Glen.

Warren said: “Mum was a really shy person. She had lots of friends and everyone loved her, but she didn’t want to be the centre of attention.

“I know everyone says this, but mum really would do anything for people. She did lots of work for charities.

“She was a loving granny and step-mum. Everyone who knew her absolutely loved her.”

“She loved to have a good time. She went to Turkey every year and we got flowers this morning from her friends over there – they used to call her ‘Sandra mum’”.

Ms Chadwick also helped out with the football team, Edinburgh South Vics, which is sponsored by the Waverley.

The team will wear black armbands when they play Newcraighall Leith Vics tonight, and there will be a minute’s silence before the game.

She is survived by her mum Helen, brothers Alex, David and Kenneth and sister Anne.

Partner Sammy said: “She was the most loving person I ever met in my life, just the most caring person.

“I have lost the best partner that I could ever had wished for.”

A funeral service will be held at Mortonhall Crematorium on Friday at 3pm.

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