Hamilton hairdresser Lorraine Ferri (55) passes away

Feb 25 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE grieving husband of a well-known Hamilton businesswoman who lost her fight against cancer has described her as “beautiful, caring and loving wife”.

Lorraine Ferri, co-owner of Marion Coia Hairstylists in Quarry Street, died aged 55.

Following a long illness, she passed away at St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie, on Saturday, February 6.

She is survived by her husband Aldo Ferri.

The 57-year-old teacher said: “Her family and her home were her life. I was married to a beautiful, loving, caring , intelligent and remarkable woman.”

Born in Beckford Lodge in Hamilton on October 31, 1954, Lorraine was one of Anthony and Marion Coia’s four daughters. The others were Antoinette, Norma and Linda.

Anthony was a well-known hotelier and owned the Royal Hotel in Motherwell and the Mail Coach in Uddingston.

Marion owned the Coia’s Hairstylists in Quarry Street from 1966.

A young Lorraine went to St John’s Primary and St John’s Secondary School in Hamilton.

After leaving school, Lorraine helped out in the her mum’s business and became a hair stylist.

Lorraine and Antoinette have worked in the business since it was founded, and Linda was involved until 1980.

Along with family and friends, many of her loyal customers, prominent members of the Lanarkshire business community and many of Aldo’s colleagues from Paisley, attended her funeral at St Andrew’s Church in Avon Street.

Following the service conducted by Rev Norman MacLeod, a collection raised a magnificent £2014.21 for the hospice.

Lorraine was laid to rest at the Bent Cemetery.

Aldo, the deputy head teacher at St Andrew’s Academy in Paisley, said: “Coia’s Hairstylists have a wonderful clientele.

“Lorraine knew many people in Hamilton through the business and the church.

“Her clients treated her as a confidante. She was a very good businesswoman and ran her shop like clockwork.”

Lorraine was involved in St Andrew’s Church and was a former Sunday School Teacher, and organised the church’s Christmas decorations.

She married Aldo in the church in July, 1996.

They lived at Hamilton’s Auchingramont Road for five years before moving to Strathaven’s Golf View where they have stayed for nine years.

Lorraine was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and regularly attended St Andrew’s Hospice .

Aldo said: “Even though she had cancer, Lorraine cared for her mother for many years before she died.

“The hospice became Lorraine’s second home. I can’t praise the staff enough.

“Lorraine had a tremendous determination to live, she bore her illness with great dignity and faith. She was one brave woman.”