Andy Murray's Grandmother Shirley Erskine Passes Away Weeks After Husband's Death
Tennis champion Andy Murray is mourning the loss of his grandmother, Shirley Erskine, who has died just weeks after the passing of her husband Roy Erskine. The sad news was revealed by Andy's cousin, actress Ailsa Erskine, in a deeply emotional tribute shared on Instagram last week.
Heartfelt Tribute from a Grieving Granddaughter
Ailsa Erskine commemorated her grandmother's life with a poignant series of nineteen photographs, accompanied by a moving caption that described Shirley as 'one of a kind' and someone who 'lit up every room she walked into'. The tribute, reported by the Daily Record, highlighted Shirley's vibrant personality and her habit of engaging in cheerful conversations along Dunblane High Street.
The emotional message read: "We said goodbye to my sweet, amazing, hilarious and one of a kind granny last week. She lit up every room she walked into, smiled at every stranger she passed and was always guilty of having too much chatter down Dunblane High Street. I will miss her so much but there will not be a day that goes by that I won't think of her and take a little bit of her with me. What a life she led and I will count my lucky stars to have grown up with such a light of a woman in my life. Sleep well granny, mini, fairy b, gran gran, Shirley E, my best friend. Thanks for giving me the gift of the gab. Say hi to Grandpa for me. Love you so much."
Outpouring of Condolences and Fond Memories
The comment section of Ailsa's Instagram post quickly filled with messages of sympathy and remembrance from friends and acquaintances who knew Shirley Erskine. Elaine Ritchie wrote: "What a wonderful grand-daughter you are Beautiful words." Joanne Crawford added: "What a lovely tribute to your gran. She was always such a lovely lady when she was interviewed about her grandsons and you xxx."
Further condolences came from Susan Gillespie, who shared: "So saddened to read this message - fond memories of Tennis Week in Elgin @ St.leonards hotel xx." Jane Mccormack expressed her sympathy, saying: "So sorry to hear about your Granny and Grandpa x sending our love to you all."
Recent Loss of Husband Roy Erskine
Shirley Erskine's passing follows the recent death of her husband, Roy Erskine, who died at the age of ninety-four in January 2026. Roy was a former professional footballer who played for Hibernian, Stirling Albion, and Cowdenbeath after showing promise as a tennis player in his youth.
His former club, Stirling Albion, announced his passing with a touching tribute, noting: "Everyone at Stirling Albion was saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Roy Erskine, on the 19th of January 2026." The club highlighted that Roy joined from Troon Juniors in August 1954 and played for two seasons before moving to Cowdenbeath.
In recent years, Roy had been a regular attendee at club hospitality events with his daughter Judy Murray, where he enjoyed speaking with supporters and reminiscing about his time with the club. He was particularly pleased to help celebrate Stirling Albion's League 2 championship win in the 2022-23 season. Roy, a well-known and popular figure in Dunblane where he worked as an optician for many years, will be sorely missed by the community.
Dedicated Supporters of Tennis Careers
Both Roy and Shirley Erskine were avid supporters of their grandsons' tennis careers, frequently seen at matches cheering for Andy and Jamie Murray. Their presence and encouragement were a constant source of inspiration for the Murray brothers throughout their professional journeys.
The double loss within such a short timeframe has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Murray family, as they remember two beloved figures who played significant roles in their lives and careers.
