Margaret McKenzie, the last of the original residents of Kincorth’s Valley Crescent, has died aged 95.
The mum-of-four, who lived in her home for 68 years, was born on May 23, 1927.
Named Margaret Jane, her parents were Robina and Alexander Stewart. While Robina ran the home, Alec was a boiler maker for Lewis’ shipyard.
Early years
One of four, Margaret and siblings Annie, Jamie – who died in infancy and Alec, known as Sonny, originally resided in Seaforth Road, the Park Road.
She was educated at Frederick Street School but when war loomed she wanted to leave to help the munitions effort or the land army. However, her father didn’t allow it. Instead she took a job at Tinny Robertson’s, the local can factory in Broadford.
Margaret married William McKenzie on March 29, 1947 age 19.
A sergeant in the Cameronian regiment, it was a chance meeting on a night out that brought the pair together.
Love in the gods
Kathleen, Margaret’s daughter explained. She said: “Mum met daddy when she was sitting in gods of the Tivoli theatre.
“She coughed so much and daddy offered her a Zube. It must have been love at first sight because he would walk from Bridge of Don barracks to see her.
“He was sent to Singapore and when he came back they got married after about a year of knowing one another.”
They tied the knot in the Kirk of St Nicholas. Margaret wore a borrowed wedding dress and they moved into one room at 21b Park Road, with her parents.
Valley Crescent calling
After leaving the military William became a signal fitter on the railways. Their children Kathleen, Moira, William and David completed their family.
Following Moira’s birth the McKenzies moved to the newly-built Valley Crescent in Kincorth.
“Oh, mum loved that newly-built, brand new cooncil hoose. We had wonderful neighbours, who were all in the same boat. All young couples with children. All very proud to be in new homes and their newly formed community,” said Kathleen
And while they experienced ups and downs like any family, life felt idyllic for them growing up.
“I remember a’ the women who would ca’ the ropes for the skipping.
“I mind getting a knock at the door and it would be a neighbour asking to borrow a shilling for the meter ’til Friday.”
Kathleen added that there was a tangible sense of pride in Valley Crescent noting that women cleaned their front steps on a daily basis.
“I always knew it was a tight-knit community,” she said, “but I was genuinely taken aback by how many people turned up to mum’s funeral. She was the last of the original residents of the street.”
African adventure
In her spare time Margaret loved the bingo, especially when she could play alongside her mum and sister, Annie.
However, when William took correspondent classes to train as an engineer, the world opened up for them both.
In 1960 William was offered a job in Ghana, West Africa, on the railway.
He borrowed £5 from his father to cover the cost of travel and he made his own way there.
“But if we thought daddy was brave we had no idea what mum was capable of,” added Kathleen. “Two years later, when I was 12, mother took the four of us to Ghana.”
Granite City to Ghana
Reflecting that Dyce airport was then just a “little corrugated shack”, it took two full days to get there.
“Daddy was there to meet us. It was wonderful. We were only there two months and mother took charge of the local golf club.”
The place in question was Takoradi Golf Glub, near Accra.
As the years went on and the children moved out Margaret would visit William wherever he was based, and the pair enjoyed trips together.
She went to see him in the Bahamas, Zambia and Newfoundland among others.
Life and loss
When William passed away six years ago everything changed for Margaret. The loss of her husband and best friend impacted her greatly.
Then, on May 22 this year Margaret fell on the eve of her 95th birthday.
She was admitted to hospital with broken ribs and wrist, and she had also hurt her head. On top of that she contracted pneumonia.
“My sister Moira was actually in the hospital herself, and we thought both were too ill to see one another. However, we were very grateful that nurses wheeled Moira in her bed from the Anchor unit down to see mum so she got to say goodbye.”
She passed away on June 1 and a celebration of Margaret’s life took place at Aberdeen Funeral Home on Monday, June 20. She made one final journey from Valley Crescent.
The woman known for calling her friends and family multiple times a day was buried with her mobile phone. And while many people prefer donations in lieu of flowers Margaret’s one request was for “floo’ers a wye”.
Kathleen added. “Of course I miss her. The phone is nae ringin’ now. But she was 95 and lived a hell-of-a life. She was an incredible woman.”
You can read the family’s announcement here.
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