The "kindest soul imaginable" - Friends speak of their shock at the loss of a local woman who died in a road accident on the day she was delivering Christmas presents
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The best friend of an Ardgay woman who died in a road accident in the village two days before Christmas, has spoken of her shock and the deep loss felt by the small community.
Kathleen Smith said Rhona Macfarlane was the “kindest soul imaginable” and a “wee darling” who was well-known and very popular in the area.
“She was my best friend and always will be in my heart. She is going to be missed terribly in the community,” said Mrs Smith. “She was a beautiful soul, she really was. We are having trouble taking it in.”
On the day of her death Mrs Macfarlane had spent much of her time delivering Christmas presents to friends and neighbours.
Others have also paid tribute to the 67-year-old who leaves behind her husband Michael and two sons, Neil and Graeme, both of whom live in the village.
News of her death on Monday, December 23, only emerged publicly after Police Scotland issued a statement earlier this week. An appeal for anyone who may have witnessed the incident has gone out.
Mrs Macfarlane did not drive and is understood to have been walking home when the accident happened in the dark at around 4.50pm on the A836 between Ardgay and Bonar Bridge
According to police, she was struck by a red Toyota Arius near to the junction known locally as the Crom junction. She died at the scene.
Mrs Smith’s friendship with Mrs Macdarlane dated back decades to when they first met on taking their children to play school.
The two and another friend were in the habit of meeting for coffee and a chat along with a “wander round the shops” every Thursday.
“We can not imagine our Thursdays now but we will carry it on because that is what Rhona would have wanted,” said Mrs Smith, who last saw her friend on the morning of her death.
Mrs Macfarlane, who is understood to have worked when required at a Braelangwell fishing lodge, was a keen gardener and a stalwart of community events, contributing baking to local sales of work.
Tributes have been made to her on the Northern Times’ Facebook page. Phyllis Ross wrote: “Rhona was such a lovely girl. I’ve known her since school days in Tain.” Vittoria McNamara posted: “One of the nicest, kindest, most genuine women I have known. Devastated doesn’t come close”. And Cath Henderson wrote: “Lovely person in every way. Tragic.”
Her funeral service for Mrs Macfarlane took place at Inverness crematorium yesterday.
Constable Robbie Stewart, of North Road Policing, said: "We are continuing to work to establish the full circumstances of this collision. Rhona's family, friends and all involved are at the forefront of our thoughts as these enquiries continue.
"I am grateful to everyone who has assisted with our enquiries so far and would continue to ask anyone with any information to come forward.
“Anyone who may have dashcam footage or was in the area at the time of the collision is urged to contact police.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2546.
Related article: Woman named who died in Ardgay road accident
