A popular Aberdeen hotelier has died just days after developing flu-like symptoms while on a romantic break with her husband.
Julie and George Lyon cut short their trip to Loch Lomond when she became ill and she was initially treated at the couple’s Cults home.
But just 24 hours later she was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she was diagnosed with a life-threatening soft tissue infection.
The 54-year-old’s condition deteriorated while she was undergoing treatment and she died in hospital with her family at her bedside.
Mr and Mrs Lyon ran the Ferryhill House Hotel near Aberdeen city centre and the Fourmile House at in Kingswells.
Last night, Mr Lyon paid tribute to his “bubbly and vivacious” soul mate.
And he and the couple’s daughters, Jordan, 28, and Jessica, 26, said they had been overwhelmed by the messages of sympathy and support from the local community.
Mr Lyon, also 54, said: “The response has just been phenomenal, it’s been really humbling for us.
“Going as far back as 30 years when we were in business at the Earl’s Court Hotel and the Egg and Dart, even to university, which is where we first met.
“Even people who remember us from Norwood Hall, which was a wedding venue, have been in touch – it’s just been unbelievable.
“Julie was bubbly, full of life and would speak to everyone. You would meet her and instantly take to her.
“From a business point of view there were people she spoke to over the phone who would become friends even though they had never met.
“We lived life to the full. We were with each other at work, and had a business relationship.
“But when we came home, we were a couple as well, almost like teenagers.
“We laughed with each other every day. We told each other we loved each other every day and, I don’t mind telling anybody this, we kissed each other every day.
“It was really a very, very strong bond we had with each other, the whole family.
“We loved to laugh, we loved to joke, we loved pranks, we loved fun. Nothing was ever taken too seriously.”
The couple had been staying at Cameron House at Balloch, near Loch Lomond, when Mrs Lyon became ill.
They married in 1984 and have worked in the hotel and pub industry in the north-east for three decades – at Hayloft, Earls Court Hotel, the Egg and Dart and Norwood Hall – along with Mrs Lyon’s parents, George and Jean Gibson.
A passionate curler, horse-rider and dancer, Mrs Lyon has been described by friends as a “lovely lady”.
Daughter Jordan said: “She never took herself too seriously. Both Jessica and I will miss her, as a mum and best friend.”
Mrs Lyon’s funeral service will be held at Aberdeen Crematorium at 1.35pm on Thursday, followed by a reception at the Marcliffe Hotel.