Aberdeen Sea Cadet Corps ensign is flying at half mast tonight to mark the sudden death of “energetic” and “cheeky” petty officer, Scot Livingstone, 33.
The former pupil of Robert Gordon’s College who also served as a volunteer water safety officer for Aberdeen RNLI became ill last week. She died on Thursday January 12.
Her mum, Jane Livingstone, said the family have appreciated the huge numbers of tributes posted online about her daughter, also known as Sarah.
She said: “It’s a terribly difficult time. We’ve been very touched by all the people who’ve said how much she meant to them. It means a lot.”
‘One of the family’
Scot joined Aberdeen Sea Cadets in 2020.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Peter Ritchie, broke the news to his corps on Friday.
“I had a lump in my throat,” he said. “In all the years I’ve been here I think it was one of the toughest things I have done. She was one of us and we really are a family.”
In a Facebook tribute the Sea Cadets said she had become the unit’s boats officer. They added that she brought with her a wealth of waterborne experience.
This is evident in a video clip where she described the steps to take to avoid cold water shock.
Although she wasn’t part of the RNLI lifeboat crew, her contribution there also helped spread water safety awareness. Through her schools work and open-water swimming forums she helped keep members of the public free from harm.
Sorely missed
Scot – who liked to remind her friends that “Sarah was just her Sunday name” and made sure her moniker was spelled with “just one t” – was said to bring life and light to her volunteer activities.
Peter added: “Scot found a new passion since joining the Sea Cadets. She started to branch out to district training, assisting with night supervision and was ready to take on the next challenge.
“With her cheeky and energetic personality, she will be sorely missed by all at the unit.
“However, from a personal perspective I know we’ve lost a friend and a family member. We met on Friday to think about her and share memories. My own wee one was upset at the news. Scot always made time for others.”
Tributes
Comments continue to be added to online posts sharing the news of her death.
Dawn Birnie said she had never met her personally but attended Scot’s online water safety courses. She wrote :”[Scot was] a vibrant young woman and so knowledgeable about all things on the water. Thinking of all the cadets, the RNLI and her family.”
Another message said: “I was just on a course with her. Sarah your duty is done. – Fair winds.”
And cadets as far away as Clydebank have joined Aberdeen in lowering their ensigns as a mark of respect to “one of their own”.
Mrs Livingstone added: “We aren’t in a position to be able to announce details of Sarah’s funeral just yet. We’re expecting that there will be a short delay and will publicise details when we have them.”
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