The greatgrandmother, who worked for decades alongside her cobbler spouse in a quaint Ayr Close, has been blind for five years.

But here she is proudly admiring the historical sign — after doctors managed to restore sight in her right eye recently.

Widow Rebecca, 83, said: “I was worried I would never see again. I didn’t know if I would ever get the chance to look at the plaque properly.

“It is wonderful to have my sight back and absolutely lovely to see it for myself finally. I didn’t expect my name to be on it too.” Blaney passed away in 2013, aged 84, only two months after retiring. He spent 30 years repairing shoes in a little shop down a lane off Hope Street.

Regeneration contractors Ayr Renaissance decided to erect the historical nameplate — to honour his contribution to the town.

His family believe he would bashfully shy away from all the fuss.

Rebecca said: “Blaney would say: ‘why are you going to all this bother over me? Surely there is more deserving folk.’ “I really enjoyed working in the shop with him and meeting members of the public. Blaney loved a blether.” On Father’s Day this Sunday Blaney’s daughter Joy McDowall, 56, intends to place a rose on the precious plaque.

The mother-of-three said: “I feel so emotional now that Mum has seen the plaque. She is amazed that it mentions her too but she deserves it. She helped run the shop for years.” A mini stroke cost Rebecca her vision and led to cataracts but thankfully an operation has now corrected one eye.

Next month will mark her and Blaney’s 63rd wedding anniversary.

Rebecca, a former nurse before her marriage, met the love of her life at the Bobby Jones dance hall after a cousin introduced them.

She said: “It was a long time ago but I remember he was very handsome.”