Mrs Gillian MacDonald, Beauly | |
13 January 2015 Everyone at Skye Camanachd was saddened to hear of the passing of Gillian MacDonald, Beauly. Gillian passed away in Raigmore Hospital on Sunday 4 January 2014. She died peacefully after the illness which she had battled for the past few years suddenly worsened over the holiday period. Gill, who was just 51, was at the hub of a well loved and respected family in the village. She immersed herself in family activities and energetically supported her children, Jack and Beth, in their various sporting pursuits. Her warm and friendly disposition endeared her to all who knew her and those visiting Braeview will have experienced at first hand the warmth of her welcome as she dispensed teas and coffees from the tea hut while simultaneously watching Jack’s exploits on the shinty pitch where he had represented Scotland at U17 level. She was born Gillian MacKay and from an early age, shinty was to play a significant part in her life. Her father Jimmy was a well-known character in the village and a keen supporter of the club. Her brother Trevor, a young man with a very promising future, had established himself in the senior side, but was tragically killed in a road accident before that promise could be fulfilled. With shinty constantly in the background, it was perhaps inevitable that Gillian would fall for a shinty player and the lad lucky enough to win her affections was Alyn (Ellie) MacDonald a promising wing centre at the club with a strong shinty lineage in his family tree. Gillian’s involvement with Beauly Shinty Club started with the fledgling Beauly and Ord Junior Shinty Club where she became a popular and successful youth coach and the junior club’s current success is in no small way attributable to the great work she did in its early days. Her death came just two days after her son Jack had scored a crucial goal for Beauly in their 2-1 Lovat Cup triumph over Lovat at Braeview Park on Friday 2 January 2015. Jack dedicated the goal to his mum. Gillian’s efforts were recognised when she was a popular winner of the “Jock MacKenzie Unsung Hero Award” and it was a fitting award to an unassuming person who never sought the limelight but was always on hand to volunteer her support to the club. Beauly President David Calder said on the club’s Facebook page, “Gillian was probably the nicest person I knew.” Niall MacLennan, President of Beauly & Ord Junior Club added, ‘Her contribution was immeasurable and unsurpassed. Nothing was a problem to Gillian and her positivity was infectious.’ A huge crowd attended Gillian’s funeral service at the Church of Scotland Croyard Road on Tuesday 13 January 2015 and the internment thereafter at Kilmorack cemetery. Everyone at Skye Camanachd offers their condolences to Ellie, Jack and Beth and the extended MacDonald and MacKay Families. |