Death Notices

MACLEOD Peacefully in his home, on Tuesday, 19th November, 2024. Anson Mackay, aged 78 years, of 24 Lotts, Skerray. Beloved husband to Frances, much loved dad and gran-pa. A service to celebrate Anson's life will be held at the graveside in Skerray Cemetery on Tuesday, 3rd December, service commencing at 12 noon, to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of the Community Nurses.

RAPSON (Helmsdale). Passed away peacefully, at her home, on Thursday, 21st November, 2024, Ellen Mary (Elma), of 11 Rockview Place, Helmsdale (formerly of Rosewood, Navidale). Beloved wife of the late Ian Pop Rapson, much loved mam to Tommy, Isabel and Janette, loving granny, great-granny and mother-in-law. Sadly missed. Funeral service will take place at the Bunillidh Church of Scotland, Helmsdale on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024 at 11.45am; and thereafter to Helmsdale Cemetery. Family flowers only please, but donations, if desired, may be given in lieu at the church door for the Scottish Air Ambulance Service.

MACLEOD Suddenly at home in Strathy Point, on Wednesday, 20th November, after a period of illness, Callum Macleod (Kinlochbervie). Beloved husband to Anne and the late Minnie, precious dad of Paula and Sheila, a loving granda and great-granda. Much loved by his extended family in Strathy. Funeral service within Strathy Village Hall on Thursday, 5th December, service commencing at 12 noon; thereafter to Strathy Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations may be given at the service in aid of R.N.M.D.S.F.

FLETCHER (Inverness). Sadly, at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, on 15th November, 2024, June Fletcher (nee Ross), aged 68 years, King Brude Road, Inverness. Dearly loved wife of James, a much loved sister of William. Funeral service on Tuesday, 26th November, at 12.30pm, in the Funeral Home of John Fraser & Son, Chapel Street, Inverness; thereafter to Kilvean Cemetery. All welcome to attend. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of June for Highland Hospice may be given at the service. Car parking available at the Funeral Home.

RAE Passed away, peacefully, on Friday, 1st November, 2024, Margaret Catherine Rae (née Munro), aged 78 years. Beloved wife of John, much-loved mother of Jonathan and Christopher, and a proud, caring grandmother to Cameron, Heather and Lena. A service of thanksgiving, to which all are welcome, will be held at Muthill Parish Church (PH5 2AR) on Monday, 25th November, at 12 noon. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if so desired, to Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK.

MACLEAN It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Leslie Ross MacLean, retired publican and restaurateur, aged 87 years, of Brabster Street, Thurso. Darling dad of Rosenda and Catriona, a dear father-in-law to Grant and Donald, loving grandad to Grant, Ben and Kyle, a dear uncle and friend to many. Leslie's funeral service will be held in St Peters & St Andrews Church of Scotland, Thurso, on Tuesday, 12th November, 2024, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends are respectfully invited. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of the North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre and Hearing & Sight Thurso.

MATHESON (Achnairn, Lairg). Peacefully at Ashley Court Care Home in Edinburgh, on Sunday, 27th October, 2024, Mary Anne, loving wife of the late Hugh, a much loved mum of Neil, Iain and Grant and a devoted grandma and great-grandma. A thanksgiving service will be held at Morningside Parish Church, Edinburgh on Tuesday, 12th November, at 11am. The burial will take place at St Andrew's Church Cemetery, Tongue on Wednesday, 20th November, at 1pm.

AITKEN Peacefully, in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, on 27th October, 2024, Charles Aitken (Philip), aged 84 years, Otago Street, Glasgow (formerly of Wick, Brora and Inverness). Funeral arrangements to follow from D. Chisholm & Sons.

GRANT (Bonar Bridge). Alice (nee Campbell) passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, at Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie on Saturday, 26th October, 2024, aged 90 years. Beloved wife of the late Robert (Bunt), loving mam of Alex and Martin, cherished nana of Kim, Leigh and Millie, great-nana of Daisy and Mason, loved sister, aunty, cousin and a good friend to many. Funeral service will be held at Creich Parish Church on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024, commencing at 12 noon; thereafter to Creich Cemetery. All family and friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, but a donation, if desired, can be made at the service to the British Heart Foundation. Enquiries to Mairi Urquhart & Son. Tel. 01862 810492.

HOUSTON (Golspie). Muriel Ina (nee Baddon) 'Wee Granny' passed away peacefully, at Mull Hall Care Home, on Saturday, 19th October, 2024, aged 102 years. A loving mother of Roderick and Kenneth, mother-in-law to Helen and Judy, devoted granny to Rowan, Valerie, Lynne and Suzanne and delighted to be great-granny to Ruairidh, Niamh, Nuala, Samanta, Akvile, Siobhan and Cara. Muriel was not only proud of her immediate family, she valued her connections with her wider family, as well as her Golspie heritage. Her funeral will be held at Fountain Road Hall, Golspie, today (Friday), 25th October, 2024, commencing at 1pm. Family flowers only please. Donations in support of TYKES and Golspie in Bloom will be gratefully received.

STRANG (Dornoch) Jerry passed away, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at Raigmore Hospital, on Friday, 11th October, 2024, aged 75 years. Beloved husband of Denise, loving dad of Caroline and Lesley, father-in-law, proud and cherished grandpa of Rachael, Emma, Abbie, Jack and Callum, great-grandpa of Luca, loved brother, brother-in-law, uncle and a good friend to many. Jerry will be sorely missed by all who knew him. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at Dornoch Cathedral on Tuesday, 22nd October, 2024, commencing at 1pm. All family and friends respectfully invited. A private cremation will be held later. Family flowers only please, but a donation, if desired, can be made at the service to Highland Croft Home Carers, Local District Nurses and Munlochy Animal Aid. Enquiries to Mairi Urquhart & Son. Tel. 01862 810492.

MACKAY William Donald Mackay, from Scullomie, Tongue and ex-pupil of Dornoch Academy, early 1950s, passed away peacefully, at Epsom Hospital, Surrey, on Friday, 20th September, 2024, after a short illness, with his sister Elizabeth by his side. Much loved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and a great friend to many. Cremation at Randalls Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, on Friday, 15th November, at 3.30pm; and a remembrance event will be held in Tongue, in late July.

HALL Peacefully, at Wyvis House Care Home, Dingwall, on 24th September, 2024, after a short illness, John William Hall, aged 79 years, formerly of Findochty and Cambusavie. Husband and best friend of Norna, "pestfethar" to Sara and Martin and gramps to Alistair and Robert. Grateful thanks to all the staff at Wyvis House for their care and kindness. Funeral private as he would have wished. No flowers please, but donations to Alzheimer Scotland or Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, gratefully received. Arrangements by John Fraser & Son of Chapel Street, Inverness.

CURRIE (Dornoch). Peacefully, in Meadows Nursing Home, Dornoch, on Monday, 23rd September, 2024, Lorna Mary Catherine Currie (nee Macrae), Burghfield Cottage, Dornoch. Beloved wife of the late George, a much loved mother of Alisdair and Karen, a loving mother-in-law of Hina and Mark, devoted Granny to Eleanor, Heather, Theo, Hugh, Fiona and Andrew. A dearly loved sister of Colin and the late Alister. Loved by all the extended family and friends. Funeral Service will be held at Dornoch Cathedral, on Wednesday, 9th October, at 11am; thereafter to Proncynain Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please but donations, if so desired may be given at the service for HistoryLinks Dornoch, Dornoch Pipe Band, Chest, Heart and Stroke Association, Munlochy Animal Aid and Alzheimers Scotland, or send to Alasdair Rhind, Funeral Directors, Sutherland House, Bank Street, Tain or donate by bacs to RBS s/c 83-27-35 a/c 00254580 ref. the late "Lorna". Service to be live streamed from the church and graveside. Full details will be posted on our website (www.alasdair-rhind-funeralscom) 24 hours prior.

DOWNARD (Glenrothes). Catherine (Cathy) Downard (nee Forbes), passed away peacefully at Finavon Court residential home, on Saturday, 10th August, 2024, aged 92 years. Beloved wife of the late Albert Charles Downard, a loving mum to Michael, Albert, Gordon and Kevin, a much loved granny to Shaun, Cameron, Finlay, Gavin, Fergus, Anna, Amy, James, Hannah and Harry. All friends and family are warmly welcome to attend a small graveside service to be held at Brora Clyne Cemetery on Thursday, 26th September, 2024, at 11.30am. Family flowers only please, although donations are welcome to Dementia UK.

GORDON (Portgower). Bruce passed away, peacefully, with loving family by his side and in the exceptional care of the staff of Cambusavie Unit, Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie, on Wednesday, 18th September, 2024, aged 90 years. Bruce will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Private funeral to be held at Bruce's request.

MACKENZIE (Rogart). Passed away peacefully, on Saturday, 21st September, 2024, at the Cambusavie Unit, Golspie, Georaine of Rogart, wife of the late William Mackenzie, much loved mum to John and Catrina, loving granny to Luke and Olivia, loving sister, auntie and mother-in-law. Funeral service will take place at St Callan's Church of Scotland, Rogart on Tuesday, 1st October, 2024, at 1pm; thereafter to Rogart Cemetery. Family flowers only but donations if desired may be given in lieu at the Church door for the Cambusavie Unit Patient Comfort Fund.

(Glenrothes). Catherine (Cathy) Downard (nee Forbes), passed away peacefully at Finavon Court residential home, on Saturday, 10th August, 2024, aged 92 years. Beloved wife of the late Albert Charles Downard, a loving mum to Michael, Albert, Gordon and Kevin, a much loved granny to Shaun, Cameron, Finlay, Gavin, Fergus, Anna, Amy, James, Hannah and Harry. All friends and family are warmly welcome to attend a small graveside service to be held at Brora Clyne Cemetery on Thursday, 26th September, 2024, at 11.30am. Family flowers only please, although donations are welcome to Dementia UK.

VAN DUIVENBODE (Alness). Irena passed away peacefully, at Invergordon County Community Hospital, on Monday, 9th September, 2024, aged 75 years. A caring and much loved mum of Andrew, Ian and Steven, mother-in-law of Maureen, Catherine and Isla, loving granny of Kyle and Ava, as well as a dear sister of Dennis, Adrian and the late Eric. Irena will be sadly missed by the whole extended family, her dear friends and many in the local community. Funeral mass to be held at St Joseph's R.C. Church, Invergordon on Monday, 23rd September, commencing at 11am. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, but a donation, if desired, can be made at the service for Mary's Meals - a charity helping hungry children in the world's poorest communities, which was a cause close to Irena's heart. Private committal thereafter. Enquiries to Mairi Urquhart & Son. Tel. 01349 880901.

MACKENZIE (Skelbo). Peacefully, at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Tuesday, 17th September, 2024, Clara, loving and beloved wife of the late Neil MacKenzie, 28 Skelbo Muir, Dornoch, dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and mother-in-law. Private funeral service at Clara's request.