Death Notices

JAMES - (Forres). Peacefully, on 22nd November, 2023, at Cameron Court, Forres, William MacGregor (Mac), aged 99 years, seven weeks shy of his 100th birthday. Beloved husband of the late Jean, dear father of Alan, Michael and Andrew, father-in-law of Ainsley, Ciru and Claire, loved granda of Erin and Robin and great-granda (GG) to Magnus and Grace. Funeral private at his own request. A long life well lived.

MICHIE - Peacefully, at Meadowlark Care Home, Forres, on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2023, Neil, in his 90th year. A dear husband of the late Magdalene and a much loved father to Amanda and father-in-law to Alan. Remains donated to Medical Research. Enquiries please to Andrew Smith Funeral Directors. Tel. 01309 674383.

FERRIER - (Forres/Rafford). Peacefully, at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin on Sunday, 19th November, 2023, William John Grant Ferrier (Beil) of Varis Court Forres and formerly of Rafford, aged 82 years, the last of the Ferrier loons, father of David and a much loved brother of Betty and the late Alice, George, Sandy and Alister. Funeral service at Tom Ross & Sons' Chapel on Wednesday, 29th November, at 11.30am. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Varis Court and MS Society. Beil will be sadly missed.

WATT - (Forres). Peacefully, at Meadowlark Care Home, on Monday, 13th November, 2023, Joan Watt, aged 75 years. A beloved wife of the late Fraser Watt, a much loved mother of Peter and the late Steven, a caring mother-in-law of Michelle, a devoted granny of Jacob, a sadly missed sister and friend to many. Funeral service at Tom Ross & Sons' Chapel on Friday, 24th November at 1.00pm. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Alzheimer Scotland.

FINCH - (Forres). Margaret Finch (nee Silverwood) of Ferryhill, Forres, aged 92 years, passed peacefully at Meadowlark Care Home on Thursday, 2nd November, 2023. Margaret enjoyed a long life of courageous and soul-filling adventures ranging from running guest houses and yoga retreats on Arran and in the Lake District, volunteering at Highland Hospice in Forres, walking and cuddling a variety of family dogs, and singing in the choir at Edinkillie Church. Margaret was the adored wife of the late Les Finch, a devoted mum of Patricia (Pat) Finch, the late Peter Finch, John Finch and Gillian Finch, and beloved grandmother to Debbie, Joe, Tiffany, Catriona, Mary and Amy. She is predeceased by her sisters Marjorie and Audrey. Memorial service at Edinkillie Parish Church on Saturday, 11th November, at 2pm. All friends respectfully invited.

DAVIES - Sadly, at Peterborough City Hospital, on Thursday, 19th October, 2023, Nikki Davies (nee Houston), aged 46, passed away peacefully. Beloved wife of Jim, a very much loved mother of Emily and Iona, a wonderful and much loved daughter to Sheila and Jim Houghton and a beautiful sister to Debbie.

PICKINS - (Forres). Sadly but peacefully, at her home, on Wednesday, 18th October, 2023, Sheila Pickins of Mannachie Brae, Forres, aged 88 years. A dearly loved wife of the late Bernard Pickins, a much loved mother of Carole and David, a devoted grandma, great-grandma, a sadly missed sister and friend to many. Funeral service at Tom Ross & Sons' Chapel, on Thursday, 26th October, at 11.00am. All friends respectfully invited. Please wear a splash of colour if possible. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. Sheila's funeral service can also be attended via online live stream. Please contact Tom Ross & Sons for further details. Tel. 01309 673435 or email admin@rossfuneraldirectors.co.uk.

MURPHY - (Forres). Sadly but peacefully, at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin on Monday, 9th October, 2023, Janet Murphy (nee Graham) of Moray Street, Forres, aged 75 years. Beloved wife of the late Wally, a much loved mother of Sean and Terry, a dear mother-in-law, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother and a sadly missed sister. Funeral service at Tom Ross & Sons' Chapel on Monday, 23rd October, at 11.00am; thereafter a private burial. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Asthma + Lung UK.

CASSIE - (Forres). Peacefully, at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin, on Saturday, 7th October, 2023, Ian Cassie (Cass) of Kintail Grove, Forres, aged 65 years, beloved partner of Ann, a dear stepfather and a sadly missed brother. Funeral service private at his own request.

DAWSON - (Forres). Peacefully, at her home, on Thursday, 28th September, 2023, Margaret Dawson (nee Grant) of Forbes Road, Forres, aged 85 years. Beloved wife of the late Grant, a dearly loved mother of Neil, Mhairi and Ian, a dear mother-in-law of Stuart and Emma, a devoted and immensely proud granny of Emma, Ashley, Olivia and Oscar and a sadly missed sister of George. Funeral service at St Laurence Parish Church, Forres, on Tuesday, 10th October, at 1.00pm; thereafter to Clovenside Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Abbie's Sparkle Foundation.

HOLDEN - (Findhorn). Anne Molly Holden (née Bray-Smith) died peacefully, at home, on Monday, 25th September, 2023. Beloved wife of Kit, for over 65 years, mother to Sarah, Andrew and Simon and granny Duck to her nine grandchildren and great-grandson. A nightingale nurse, she used her knowledge to help all those she met as a much travelled army wife.

MURRAY - (Forres). Peacefully, at Meadowlark Care Home, on Sunday, 24th September, 2023, Katherine Murray (nee Low), of Sanquhar Road, Forres, aged 83 years. Adored wife of Dr Douglas Murray, a much loved mum of Fiona, Jenny, Iain and Jacky, a caring mother-in-law, a devoted granny, a sadly missed sister and friend to many. Memorial service at St Laurence Parish Church, on Thursday, 5th October, at 1.00pm. All friends respectfully invited. Bright colours welcome. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to North East Sensory Services.

MCDONALD - (Forres). Sadly, at her home, on Thursday, 21st September, 2023, Aileen McDonald, of Sanquhar Drive, Forres, aged 76 years. Beloved wife of Brian, dearly loved mother of Kerry and Robin, granny of Marley and Rosie, mother-in-law to JoJo and sister to Lorna. A comfort to many in her capacity as a nurse and carer. Aileen enriched the lives of everyone who knew her with warmth and compassion. Family flowers only. Funeral private at Aileen's own request.

MACIVOR - (Forres). Suddenly, at Dr Gray's Hospital, on Wednesday, 20th September, 2023, Maureen MacIvor, of Mannachie Rise, Forres, aged 79 years. A much loved wife of Norman, a beloved mother of Anthony, Christopher, Andrew and Kevin, a caring mother-in-law, a devoted grandma and great-grandma, a loving sister of Paul and a sadly missed friend to many. Funeral mass at St Margaret's R.C. Church on Tuesday, 3rd October at 12 noon; thereafter to Clovenside Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK.

HEGGIE - George, originally from Forres, sadly passed away, suddenly but peacefully, at St. John's Hospital, Livingston, on Wednesday, 30th August, 2023, aged 82 years. Beloved husband of Dorothy, much loved dad to Colin and Bruce, granda of Lauren, Craig & Ashleigh, great-granda, and brother to Dorothy Anderson. The funeral will be held at West Lothian Crematorium on Thursday, 14th September at 1.00pm. All friends respectfully invited.

DUFF - (Forres). Sadly, at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023, Mary Hood Duff (nee James), of Seaforth Place, Forres, aged 94 years. Beloved wife of the late Hamish, a much loved sister of the late Elsie and Phyllis and a sadly missed aunt, great-aunt and friend to many. Funeral service at St Leonard's Parish Church, Forres on Wednesday, 6th September at 1pm; thereafter to Moray Crematorium. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Christian Aid.

MURRAY - (Forres). Peacefully, at his home, on Saturday, 19th August, 2023, Stewart Michael Murray, aged 80 years, retired solicitor at R & R Urquhart. Beloved husband of Tish, a much loved father of the late Carol "Buzzy" and a sadly missed brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend to so many. Funeral service at St John's Episcopal Church, Forres, on Friday, 1st September, at 1pm; thereafter to Moray Crematorium. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Maggie's Highlands.

MCDONALD - The family of the late Margaret McDonald would like to thank all relatives friends and neighbours for the kind expressions of sympathy received during the recent sad loss of Margaret. Thanks must also go to the management team and the carers of Cameron Court, Forres for all their help and support given to Margaret. Special thanks also to Rev Richard Moffat for his kind visits and most uplifting service, to Andrew Smith and staff for all their professional funeral arrangements, to all who paid their last respects at Andrew Smiths Funeral Home and Dyke churchyard and to all who gave so generously to Cameron Court

MACDONALD - (Forres). Sadly, but peacefully, at Cathay Nursing Home, Forres on Wednesday, 9th August, 2023, Sheila MacDonald (nee Gray), of Sanquhar Terrace, Forres, aged 90 years, beloved wife of the late Kenny, a dearly loved mother of Mike and Gillian and mother-in-law of Lorraine and Sandy, a very special granny of Robbie, Greig, Grant and Amy and great-granny of Lachlan. Funeral service at St Laurence Parish Church on Tuesday, 22nd August, at 1pm, thereafter to Clovenside Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations, in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Sanquhar Pond Volunteer Group.

FORSTER - (Dyke). Peacefully, after a short illness, at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin on Saturday, 5th August 2023, Nicky Forster of Darklass Place, Dyke, aged 100 years, beloved wife of the late Peter and a sadly missed relative and friend to many. Funeral service at Dyke Parish Church on Wednesday, 16th August (today) at 12 noon. All friends respectfully invited. No flowers please, donations in lieu, if desired, may be given at the service to Church funds.