Milestones

Birth: July 01 1983 - Dingwall

Death: May 28 2014 - Inverness

Brief Profile

Garnet “Gary” Macrae was born in 1938 in Dingwall, Scotland,  daughter of John Murchison MacRae and Elizabeth (Murray) Macrae. Her early life was marked by close family bonds, but also by tragedy: her brother Murray and later her father both drowned in accidents, events that placed great emotional and financial strain on the family. Despite excelling in school and dreaming of becoming a teacher, recurring ill health and family circumstances led Gary to leave school at 15 to work as an Office Junior at MacKays Garage.

In 1953, encouraged by her mother, she began pre-nursing training in Inverness, where she met Fred Maclennan. After completing her course and passing her exams, she started as a student nurse but soon chose to leave nursing to marry Fred in 1956. They welcomed their only child, Denise, in 1960.

Gary was deeply involved in her community, running the Park Youth Club and actively participating in the Ross-shire Labour Party, eventually serving as Chair and Secretary in local branches. When Denise entered primary school, Gary returned to work as an auxiliary nurse at the Peterkin Maternity Hospital before leaving to care for her ill mother.

Following her mother’s death, Gary improved her qualifications through evening classes, leading to a clerical position with the county council’s Roads Department. There, her growing interest in trade unionism culminated in her appointment as Organiser for NALGO, where she made significant contributions as an advocate for workers’ rights.

Invitation

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Obituary

Garnet Macrae, known as Gary, was born in 1938 as the fifth child and only daughter of John Murchison MacRae and Elizabeth (Murray) Macrae in Dingwall, Scotland. After early childhood in Fingal Road, the family moved to Millcraig Road, living with her parents, grandfather, and five brothers. Gary excelled in school, dreaming of becoming a teacher, but health issues and family tragedies, including the drowning deaths of her father and brother, altered her path. Leaving school at 15, she began working as an Office Junior at MacKays Garage.
In 1953, Gary pursued pre-nursing training in Inverness, where she met Fred Maclennan, later marrying him in 1956. They had their only child, Denise, in 1960. Gary balanced her family life with community involvement, running the Park Youth Club and serving in the Ross-shire Labour Party. She later returned to work as an auxiliary nurse, though she left to care for her ailing mother.

Following her mother’s death, Gary upgraded her qualifications through evening classes, securing clerical work with the local council. Her interest in trade unionism led her to a significant role as Organiser for NALGO, the local government union, marking a new chapter in her career advocating for workers’ rights.
Garnet Macrae was the fifth child and only daughter in the family of John Murchison MacRae and Elizabeth (Murray) Macrae. Born in 1938, she spent the first two years of her life in a flat in Fingal Road in Dingwall after which the family moved to a house in Millcraig Road where she lived with her parents, Grandfather Murray and brothers, Ali, Murray, John, Donald and Brian.
Garnet, known as Gary, attended Dingwall Academy which she loved and dreamt of becoming a teacher. A high pass mark in the Eleven Plus kept her dream alive as she progressed to Secondary School. However, due to bouts of appendicitis and the resultant appendix removal, she was left her struggling to keep up with the other pupils. In 1952, tragedy struck the family when her father was drowned in an accident at Loch Achility. Ten years previously, the family were devastated when Gary’s brother Murray drowned in a swimming accident at the Ferry in Dingwall. This put an enormous emotional and financial strain on the family and Gary felt a sense of relief at the decision for her to leave school on her fifteenth birthday and take on a role as an Office Junior with MacKays Garage in Dingwall.

In 1952, Gary’s mother persuaded her to apply for a two-year pre-nursing training course in Inverness for which a bursary was available for lodgings. Gary Started the course in 1953 but returned to Dingwall at the weekends to see her family friends. The favourite haunt for most young people at the time was the Pavillion in Strathpeffer. It was here that she met the love of her life, Fredrick (Fred) Maclennan. Gary completed her course in 1955, and exams passed, she started work as a student nurse in the Royal Northern Infirmary in Inverness. However, she decided to give up her nursing training when she and Fred decided to get married. After a short engagement they married on 28th June 1956. Four years later on 3rd February 1960, Gary gave birth to her only child Denise.

Over the next few years Gary ran the Park Youth Club in Dingwall and was actively involved in the Ross-shire Labour Party where she was Chair of the Dingwall Party and Secretary of the Constituency Party. When Denise began Primary school, she felt it was time to return to work and took up a post as an auxiliary nurse in the Peterkin Maternity Hospital in Dingwall where she worked until 1970, leaving to look after her sick mother. After her mother died, and looking to improve her job prospects, Gary attended evening classes to acquire ‘o’ levels and highers which landed a clerical position in the Roads Department in the local council. It was during this time that she became interested in Trade Unionism which led to her applying and successfully acquiring her position as Organiser for NALGO the local Government Union.

Eulogy

It’s with sadness that I’m here today ot speak about my friend of 36 years Gary MacLennan.
Preparing this was difficult but also rewarding because  it allowed me to reflect on the times Gary and I spent together – our experiences of work, our families and the fun times enjoyed over the years. So I am glad I’m able to share some of my memories with you. Some may even raise a smile even at this sad time.
Gary and I met through work. We were both employed by NALGO the public services trade union – Gary being the Branch Admininistrator for all Local Government Branches in the Highland area while I was the Branch Organiser for all branches in the Grampian area. Margaret McRae, who along with her husband Dennis, has remained a strong family friend, assisted Gary.

Gary loved her work and grew into the job.
She excelled and was promoted to Branch Organiser and ultimately Regional Officer
At work, Gary had real presence.
She had standards and good judgement.
She had a positive can do attitude and a strong work ethic.
She revelled in tackling injustices.
She knew instinctively the way forward.
She had values – trust – loyalty and a sense of purpose in everything she did.
She believed in equality and was forever publicising the benefits of pensions for women- the need to bring wages up ot a liveable standard for all- the need for workplace training to equip the low paid to go for promotions.
She was passionate about training and education -creating programmes and equipping local branch officers with the tools for their job.
She could hold her own with anybody. She was assertive before assertiveness training came into vogue! She took no prisoners– no matter your position.

No one said   No   to Gary lightly.She earned the respect of all she worked with whether  Councillors -Sandy Innes and Isobel Rhind come to mind;  or Council officers like Neil Macintosh, George Stewart and Alistair Dodds. Fellow Branch officers, of whom there were many, either worshipped her or held her in awe. She worked closely as I recall with Elaine Smith, and Ronnie Mclean both of whom I am sure over the years participated in a few robust discussions.

And you know – she really didn’t fit the mould – did she? Here she was, a small 5ft “wifie” — able to work alongside – negotiate with- and sometimes outwit these high heidyins — whilst at the same time gaining their respect and admiration for her probity and her diligence.

Gary you know had a real sense of fun and mischief.
How many of you have had the benefit of the Gary wink!
When that wink came, you knew you were in for a bit of fun, as she did not suffer fools gladly.

One story springs to mind of one of our London training gurus wanting to
meet Gary, as she had been impressed with some of Gary’s training materials. I arranged the meeting, now being Gary’s officer for the Highlands. Well, our very posh guru got more than she bargained for. Her jaw dropped when she met Gary. Firstly, she was expecting a bloke.
Secondly -she thought she knew more than Gary did. As we spoke I got the Gary wink -and Gary moved in mischievously, quietly and firmly. In that soft Highland lilt she left the woman in no doubt about who was in charge. Gary was always willing to share what she had -but was never willing to be dictated to or patronised.
Another aspect of Gary’s uniqueness in the Trade Union Movement was that
she did not drink alcohol. Back in the 70s and 80s -wait -who am I kidding, I should say to this day! -Alcohol went with the slick suits and flash cars And what a bonus for me who was known to enjoy a tipple or two.
Gary recently reminded me of a time we were in Glasgow for a staff conference and as usual, we all retired to the pub for refreshments when the business was finished. Thereafter, it was on to a good restaurant and to my shame — I ordered Gary to drive my car which was packed with drunks all of whom were trying to give her directions, while she was shouting   I cannot do this  – I have never driven in Glasgow – I don’t know where I am going.   Of course she rose the challenge. Another time when stopped by bobbies to blow in the bag she got out the car and – and hands on hips –  she gave those young bobbies a tongue lashing -the
audacity!  to think she would drink and drive.
Gary was a Labour party member all her life. She hated social injustice and
both she and Fred were often on the campaign trail, supporting local
candidates such as Joan Aitken, Rhoda Grant and many others. Whether it be for the Local Council, Westminster or the Scottish Government elections, labour candidates could count on Gary to put in the work. She would have made a wonderful politician -outspoken and challenging the party line when she felt it was not the right way forward. She never compromised her values no matter whose toes she stood on!

Like many, she became disillusioned with politics in later life but my god she could still debate when something rattled her.
The way forward on the Scottish Referendum was a matter on which we
disagreed.  Sitting at her fireside we would have a real good ding-dong. It
always ended the same way, with her saying  –  I’m not going to speak about it any more but I can’t believe you Annie,- and you my soul mate.

Disagreements didn’t mar our friendship one iota though; they enriched it.
• Gary’s friendship was one I valued. Like me, she had strong family values. Denise and Fred were her focus. Fred’s support and tolerance let her continue the work that she loved, even though it often took her away from home. Work life balance was not something she was good at but in the main, she succeeded in keeping all the balls in the air without mishap.
• Gary had a knack of offering comfort without pressure.
• She was a good listener and had a sense of what was good in ourselves
encouraging us to meet challenges that we may never have considered.
• She cheered the successes of all her friends.
• She kept track of the details of her friends’ lives sharing their sorrows and
joys without being critical.
• Like Fred, she could be counted on. Reliable –supportive – a rock.
• She loved being a lady that lunched and she always appreciated that she had good mates that stayed in touch–mates in particular that supported her when she lost Fred. She was always grateful for their time and energy.
I told her that she was only reaping what she had sown throughout her life. Gary was such a good companion  – her crack was good. You were never bored  in her company. She was amusing and had a sharp wit that always entertained.
As a mate, I reaped many benefits. Did you know that Gary was a baker? She turned out fabulous pastry. It melted ni your mouth.Her strawberry tarts would have done justice to master chef. And her Christmas cakes. Well, you knew you were a treasured mate when you received a beautifully decorated Christmas cake along with a selection of home made tablet and truffles.

She was also a – not so accomplished –  piano player.
I have memories of parties at Gary and Fred’s, the drink flowing – songs being belted out at the top of our voices and Gary ploughing -sorry playing – away, happy as could be. One of her favourites was Lara’s Theme – she thought she was so good as she played it over and over – Denise and Fred rolling their eyes saying -Oh not again!
She had a secret vice. She loved the gambling! Gary and Fred would often visit me in Glasgow and back then you got a good quality meal in the gambling club at a reasonable price. That was the first time Gary discovered roulette. We had a ball – but ever cautious Fred kept hovering as Gary splashed the cash on her favourite numbers. Initially, he wasn’t well pleased so I had to get my husband Sandy to take him to the blackjack so Gary could enjoy the thrill of the table. It was an experience she repeated any time she got the chance and- she was lucky with it.  Cruises later in life let her continue her gambling. Fred told me that there was many a time that Gary won enough to pay for their entertainment for the duration of their trip and on one occasion for the cruise itself!
You know Gary was frightened of flying and her first trips to Europe were by bus. Fred and Denise you see would not let her say no to Continental travel. She found a way of conquering her fear though and she and Fred travelled the globe, particularly when she retired. I have fond recollections of Gary and I in the hot tub at Leah Playa and of being attacked by monkeys in Gibraltar. She was ful of fun, a joy ot be with, whether haggling in the markets for the bargains or enjoying a meal, listening ot music, enjoying the crack. She introduced Sandy and me to Dalfaber in Aviemore and we have had many a laugh and years of pleasure playing golf, badly I may add, or enjoying the Jacuzzi there.
True lifelong friends are the family you choose for yourself and Gary, Fred Denise and Stewart were, and are, part of my family as I am of theirs. We have shared many delightful experiences and joys, along with the sorrows that have come our way. Her friendship and comradeship I treasure, and today, I have lost my soul mate, my pal.

Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end it’s not the years in your life that count – it’s the life in the years.”
Well, Gary certainly made the most of her years, leaving us a barrel full of memories to treasure.
Thank you Gary for letting me share your years, for being you, for enriching us all.