Farewell to Joan Mackay
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It was, with great sadness on June 18, that the family and friends of Joan Mackay of 23 Ben Bhraggie Drive gathered at Golspie cemetery to say their final farewells.
Joan was born on June 3 1958 in the Pope Maternity Hospital in Helmsdale. She was the youngest child of the late Donald and Georgie Mackay, a surprise baby to everyone given Georgie’s age, but also a long-awaited answer to her big sister, Sandra’s prayers for a wee sister. Joan’s arrival completed the family of three sons and two daughters – Don, Paul, Charlie, Sandra and baby Joan who was called after Georgie’s sister Joey.
On account of Donald’s job as a shepherd, the family moved around to several locations on Lord Nutting’s Estate, in Forsinard and the surrounding area. Although the family sometimes lived in remote locations, Joan’s early childhood days were happy ones and being the youngest of the family by 12 years, she was doted on by her parents and her older siblings.
Joan went to primary school in Strathalladale and later finished her schooling at Golspie High School. Like many of her peers she had to stay in hostel accommodation in Golspie and was very homesick to begin with. Thankfully, alongside her was her cousin and best friend, Christine O’Brien, fondly known as Kita, and the two helped each other to adapt to their new surroundings. As time went on, the inseparable pair gained in confidence and, undeterred by the strict rules of the hostel matron, were known to slip out hostel windows in order to enjoy the local dances!
At the age of 17, Joan married Norman Macaskill of Lothbeg on October 31, 1975 and six years later, with great joy, they welcomed their son Kevin into the world. Sadly, when Kevin was only 11 months old, Norman was tragically killed in a car crash.
Following this tragedy Joan and baby Kevin went to live with sister Sandra and her family in Bettyhill. It was during this time that Joan met Douglas Mackay of Borgie and they went on to marry and set up home in Tower Street, Golspie. On Christmas day 1989 their family was made complete by the arrival of their son Alan. In March 1993 they moved to their current home in Ben Bhraggie Drive which was Joan’s pride and joy. She loved nothing better than decorating a room, replacing carpets, curtains and buying all the finishing touches. This was a hobby that kept Douglas very busy all year round. As soon as one room was complete, Joan would quickly move onto the next one!
In her early life Joan held a variety of jobs in the hospitality industry and was recognised by her employers for being both a very efficient and capable worker as well as having a friendly, helpful manner when dealing with the public. Having then cared for her mother until her death in 2001, Joan went to work as a domestic at Cambusavie Unit and for many years as a relief carer at Seaforth House. As in her previous employment, she showed a willingness to help and support others, particularly the most vulnerable, and certainly had a gift for this type of work.
Joan was always known as an exceptionally hard worker both in her jobs and at home. She was a woman whose constant companion was Henry the hoover and had been known to wash her windows twice in one day, no less! She also loved her garden and liked to potter away in it on a sunny day.
Joan enjoyed her nights out with her pals, and the gala week was a highlight in her calendar every year where she joined in with the fancy dress parade and nightly dances.
She was not someone who hankered to go away on holidays; Joan was perfectly happy to stay at home, spend time with family and go for a day’s shopping to Inverness. That was holiday enough for her.
Sadly in September 2019, Joan became very unwell and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. She was a patient at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness for several weeks and undertook an intensive course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy before being discharged into the care of her devoted husband, Douglas, who saw to her every need back home in Ben Bhraggie Drive. For a time, there was an improvement in Joan’s condition and she even managed to put on some weight, much to the family’s delight. However, sadly, this was not sustained and Joan passed away with her husband and two sons by her side on June 12.
Joan will be sorely missed by all those who knew her and particularly by her husband Douglas, sons Kevin and Alan, and surviving siblings Charlie and Sandra. She was well-known and well-liked in the village of Golspie and seeing the Main Street lined with mourners as her funeral cortège passed, is testament to the affection in which she was held by everyone.
Joan’s funeral service was conducted by Free Church minister, Rev Eric Paterson and pall bearers were: Douglas Mackay (husband). Kevin Macaskill (son), Alan Mackay (son), Charlie Mackay (brother), Christine Smith (cousin), Pauline Mackay (cousin), Margaret Allan (sister-in-law), Ian Mackay (brother-in–law), Maureen Sutherland (friend), Mhairi Stewart (friend), Penny Macrae (friend) and Vina Mackay (friend).
Monies donated by mourners have been sent to Macmillan Cancer Support and will be added to the amount being raised by Joan’s younger son, Alan, who had planned to undertake the West Highland Weight Walk in April but, on account of the current pandemic, which had to be postponed. Alan, however, is continuing to keep on training and will carry out the walk as soon as it is safe to do so.
The 95 mile walk which will be completed over five days will involve Alan wearing a 20kg weighted vest, hence the name “West Highland Weight”. To date, the amount raised is £2691 and anyone wishing to contribute can do so on the Just Giving website page.
