It was a very specific dream – but it was one that Theresa Wade harboured from childhood.
While others were playing at princesses, Theresa just wanted to be the vet on Mull – and she achieved just that.
The 29-year-old ran the practice at Fishnish and lived at the Kinloch Hotel in Pennyghael with her partner Charles Pease.
Miss Wade grew up on the Ross of Mull where her parents Mary and Trevor ran Bayview Stores at Bunessan.
She went to primary school there before attending Oban High School, where she was the dux.
She then studied veterinary medicine at Glasgow University before taking her first job at a practice in Fort William in 2009. In 2014 she took over the practice at Fishnish on Mull.
Mr Pease said: “Ever since she was a small girl Theresa aspired to be the veterinary surgeon on Mull and she worked and worked throughout her school days to achieve that.
“She was, in her final year at Oban High School, awarded the dux. She had straight As, except I think in one subject she got a B, which disappointed her immensely as she would often say.
“She studied veterinary surgery at Glasgow University where she was highly committed and won numerous awards while she was there.”
After graduating she worked in Fort William, before the opportunity presented itself of being the Mull vet.
Jimmy Wilson was retiring and approached her. She asked if she could work with him for one year to gain experience before buying the practice in 2014.
Mr Pease said: “I have to say that for the 10 years we were together I have never known her so happy than when she was able to claim she was the Mull vet and had sole responsibility for for 1,000 square kilometers on Mull, Iona and the parts of the mainland.
“She did that to the best of her ability and the people of Mull and Iona loved her for that.”
Speaking about her death, he said: “It would have been an impossible situation if we hadn’t had the support of the people of Mull, the local emergency services and everyone who was involved and has continued to help.
“We will forever be grateful to them for that support.”
More than 500 people attended her funeral and later locals produced a book named Our Island Vet which had pictures of all the animals she had helped.
