The sad news of the death of Iris Mackay, Durness well known throughout Sutherland spread around the village on Tuesday morning after she passed away in her sleep during the night, writes Ronnie Lansley.
About a year ago Iris was diagnosed with cancer but she fought it courageously, undergoing treatment and never complaining about her condition. In July, she was the Chieftain at the Durness Highland Gathering.
Last Sunday Donnie, her husband, and Iris celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary. Being Iris she continued working as she had all her life, opening her "shopie" (Mathers Shop) every evening including the night prior to her passing.
Work and dedication to Durness, with involvement in community activities all her life, was what made her such a well-known and valued person. Throughout the area where she had spent her whole 68 years, Iris could be seen driving minibuses, transporting people all over the north and west to every event imaginable, always with a cheery greeting to those she met on the road.
Iris was a social and welcoming person and gave extraordinary service and could and would chat about any matter raised in conversation!
She instigated the Cape Wrath minibus service in 1982 and fitted more work into a day than most could conceive. She was always able to please and assist others. Without hesitation she would deliver, pick up goods and bring and take shopping for anyone requesting help.
With her many family and friendship connections, the funeral service tomorrow (Saturday), which is sure to be attended to capacity, is at 1pm at Durness Church of Scotland and interment at Balnakeil cemetery.
An era has come to an end in Durness and someone with such origins embedded in the Highland way could never be replaced. Sincere condolences go to all the family especially Donnie and daughter Yvonne.
Willie Morrison, formerly of Durness, tells us: "When my cousin Barbara in Durness told me of Iris's sad death, my mind flashed back to an afternoon about 62 years ago, as we in the gathering winter gloaming at Durness Primary School were rehearsing in the "wee room" for the annual Christmas party.
"I had a vision of Iris, aged six, along with her close contemporaries Ruby Munro and Margaret Morrison, chanting their lines as "china dolls" for a Christmas playlet, in which I, a year and a half older, played a martinet soldier doll. That's my earliest recollection of Iris, then, like her wee friends, a pretty little doll-like lass, just right for the part.
"A lot of water has passed under the bridges at Sangomore since those faraway days. Iris, unlike so many of us who left to follow our careers elsewhere, in her lifetime contributed so much time and effort to the benefit of her native village, as businesswoman involved in retail and tourism, as leading light in so many aspects of community life, and as prime mover for so long of the Durness Highland Gathering.
"I was delighted to see her being honoured in July as chieftain of the Gathering, when she looked very well, despite her encroaching illness, but I'm truly sorry that she's had to leave us so soon after. I feel very much for Donnie and Yvonne in their loss.
"Despite her suffering in recent times, Iris remained her usual cheery, talkative self to the end. I shall miss most of all reminiscing about times past with her, as I'm sure many others of our generation also will. May she rest in peace."
Local MSP Jamie Stone says: "This is really sad news. I really enjoyed Iris's company and her wisdom. It is a huge loss to Durness. She will never be forgotten."
