Scotland’s second oldest person, mother-of-10 Isabella Donald from Inverurie, has died aged 108.
Just weeks from her 109th birthday, Isabella – known as Bell, passed away surrounded by those she loved. It was a fitting end for a woman who credited her long life with being devoted to her family above all else.
From farming stock
Isabella was born a twin on December 12 1913 to Alexander and Kate Donald, farmers of Brownhill Croft, near Turriff. Sadly Bell’s sister died shortly after birth, and by the time her first birthday rolled round the country was three months into the First World War.
One of 10 children, she initially attended Birkenhills School but when the family moved Bell was then educated at Easterfield School until the age of 14.
Post-school she secured a job as a housemaid and a nanny. Although she lived in with her employers, she continued to help support her large family.
‘An amazing mum’
Age 18 Bell met another farmer by the name of Donald, this time, James Donald.
A year her senior the pair formed a friendship and began courting, eventually marrying on Bell’s parents’ farm at the Mains of Tollo in 1935. Churchgoers, her parents asked the Church of Scotland minister to conduct the service at their home. The couple wed and had their reception in the farmhouse.
The young couple would raise 10 children of their own, with a 20 year age gap from oldest to youngest.
Bell’s daughter Mary Gillespie described her mum as an amazing woman who was utterly devoted to her family.
“You know, if we came home from school and she wasn’t there waiting on us we’d think something was wrong. Every day we could expect home cooked meals from scratch, lots of baking, and two parents who just wanted us to live well.
“My dad would say ‘I don’t mind whit you dae my quine, as long as it’s done recht.’ Meaning, we were brought up to be kind and to treat people well, that’s what really matters in life.”
Happy times and sad
Bell and James remained happily married for almost 50 years though the couple had their fair share of tough times to contend with.
Their youngest daughter passed away at just 22 and raising 10 children meant a life of hard work for the couple, who later moved to Inverurie.
Life would change for Bell, however, just before her golden wedding anniversary in 1985 when James died age 72. Though it was expected Bell was profoundly affected by the loss of her husband but a growing family kept her busy.
The centenarian was grandmother to 22, great-grandmother to 28 and great-great-grandmother to 13 children.
Blessed with good health
When asked for the secret to her mother’s long life, Mary put it down to her lack of cigarettes and alcohol, plain food and the absolute joy she derived from doing everything she could, every day, for her family.
“She was blessed with really good health until she was 83 when she suffered a ruptured cerebral anurism. But even then she lived in her own home, supported by myself and my sisters, until she was 99,” added Mary.
Then, Bell moved into Westbank Care Home in Old Meldrum.
“They became like our extended family. The care was so good, which is probably why mum lived for nearly another decade.”
At peace
Bell passed away peacefully, on Sunday November 13, with her family beside her.
Her life had spanned two centuries and she saw in 23 prime ministers.
“While we are extremely sad to lose mum it’s bringing us a lot of comfort to know she managed to pass away with no pain or anguish.”
Her funeral will take place on November 25, at Baldarroch Crematorium.
Looking back on the lessons learned from her mother, Mary praised her resilience and dedication to her family.
‘Money can’t buy love’
Mary said: “I’m very grateful to have had great parents and a great life. We never had much but mum instilled into us that money doesn’t buy you a work ethic or happiness. Nor does it guarantee love. She taught us that a good life is a life where you can depend on one another and where family comes first.”
A hard worker at heart, even in the weeks leading up to her death Bell was commenting on how days spent in a care home meant a lot of rest and taking it easy.
“She kept saying to me, ‘I’ve done nothing today…’ So I turned and looked at her and said, ‘Shall I take you to some stairs so you can scrub them?’ She roared with laughter. Imagine being 108 and still finding reasons to smile. That was our mum.”
You can read the family’s announcement here.
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