The sons of Forres couple Sandy and Jean Mackay, who died just 15 days apart, have paid tribute to their parents who shared a funeral.
Former champion of Forres Curling Club Sandy, and retired teacher Jean, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary just weeks before they both passed away.
Sandy Mackay, from Nairn
Alexander Mackay, known as Sandy, was born on July 12 1931 in Nairn. His father, William, was a builder, and his mother Jean looked after their seven children. Sandy attended primary school in Nairn then moved on to the town’s academy, and by the age of 14 had a job as a delivery boy with Coopers.
Though he was supposed to cycle to and from the “high-end grocery store”, Sandy couldn’t ride a bike at first. After pushing it around Nairn it soon became clear that learning on the job – however painful – would be the best way to complete his deliveries.
At 18 Sandy was called up for national service. Serving as a Bren-gunner with the Seaforth Highlanders between 1950 and 1953, he was sent to Asia during the “Malayan Emergency”, engaging in tough, jungle warfare.
On his return Sandy resumed work with Coopers. At 23, based in Forres, he became the chain’s youngest manager.
Jean Wilkie Graham, raised in Airdie
Jean was born on August 25 1935 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The only daughter of John and Jean Graham, she lost her father when she was only six years old.
Following his death, she and her mother moved to Airdrie.
Living with her grandmother and aunt, Jean attended Airdrie Primary School then on to the academy, before studying for her primary school teaching certificate at Jordanhill College, Glasgow.
As a student, during holiday periods, Jean worked as a waitress in the Golf View Hotel, Nairn.
Falling in love
There, in 1956, Sandy and Jean met. After wooing her with a dance at the town hall and a “poke of chips” from Morganti’s they began courting.
After graduating Jean spent her two-year probationary period at Calderbank Primary School in North Lanarkshire.
On December 27 1958 Sandy and Jean wed in Nairn Old Parish Church. That same year Jean secured her first full teaching post at Forres Primary School.
The couple’s first house was on Bank Lane, Forres. There, sons Colin and Graeme, were born.
The couple’s careers
Jean initially stopped teaching to raise the boys but was persuaded to return, providing teaching cover, at Applegrove Primary School.
What began as a short-term proposition lasted many years. During her teaching career, Jean continued to up-skill, gaining additional qualifications.
She also taught at Andersons and Forres Academy and qualified as an infant mistress, in nursery education and in both primary and secondary learning support.
When Sandy was headhunted by Hutcheon’s of Turriff, the family moved to the Aberdeenshire town. Mr Hutcheon – who sold everything from animal feed to “fancy pieces” was so impressed with Sandy’s window displays in Coopers store he snapped him up for his own shop.
After the business was sold in the late 1960s Sandy and Jean returned to Forres. Employed by United Biscuits as a sales representative, Sandy rose through the ranks to become Scotland sales manager before retiring in the late 1980s.
Jean retired from teaching in the mid 1990s.
Making memories together
Throughout the years Sandy was a keen golfer – and Jean a “golf widow”.
A member of Forres Golf Club, Sandy only reluctantly gave up his membership aged 90.
His other sport was curling. A reserve player for the Scotland team in his younger years, Sandy was also part of Forres Curling Club, winning every club trophy, some more than once.
As a couple, the Mackays loved to spend time together, and enjoyed trips abroad. Visiting most Mediterranean holiday destinations in their earlier years, latterly they opted for cruising. The Norwegian Fjords were a favourite destination.
Celebration and sadness
For more than 65 years Sandy and Jean were by one another’s side but in December Sandy, who was experiencing some signs of dementia, broke his arm and was admitted to Dr Gray’s Hospital.
Though it wasn’t the party they’d hoped for, the couple were able to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on December 27.
Jean, who had previously overcome bowel cancer and was more recently diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, also fell, breaking her hip.
She was admitted to the same hospital, in a different ward.
Sadly, Sandy continued to deteriorate and on January 10 he passed away peacefully in hospital.
Hoping she would be able to leave hospital to attend her husband’s funeral, Jean’s family began making plans to celebrate the life of Sandy.
It became clear, however, that Jean’s health was also beginning to decline.
Just 15 days after losing Sandy, Jean also passed away, on January 25.
Greatly missed
Their family made the decision to have a double funeral.
“It was exactly what they would have wanted,” said Colin.
“They were together all those years in life and when dad passed away we could see that mum wouldn’t be far behind. It was fitting that they were together that one last time.”
The family has expressed their gratitude to Andrew Smith Funeral Director for his team’s sensitive and compassionate handling of the double funeral.
Sandy and Jean are survived by their sons Colin and Graeme, daughter-in-law Julia and close family member Linda; their grandchildren Darren, Dale, Ross, Mhairi and Ziggy. They were also proud great-grandparents to Indie Rose.
“They’re both deeply missed, by our whole family, and all those who knew mum and dad,” added Graeme.