In Memory of Mary MacDougall

1917- 2005

A large congregation of family and friends gathered in Lismore Parish Church to say farewell to Mary MacDougall who died peacefully at her home in Achnacroish on 17 February 2005.

Mary was born in Dunoon in 1917 into a family of four whose parents both died when the children were very young. It was at this sad time that Mary came to Lismore to live with her aunt and uncle. She attended Ballygrundle School and afterwards trained as a nurse at Royal Alexandra Infirmary in Paisley. She became a midwife at The Royal Glasgow Maternity Hospital and worked as a district nurse first in Dreghorn then Crosshouse in Ayrshire and later she succeeded her sister Bessie Mackinnon in Dalry.

Mary married Dugald MacDougall in 1949 and they lived most of their years together at Achnacroish. They had four boys and a girl. Tragically two of the boys, Peter and Neil, died while still young, but they saw Dougie, Gregor, and Faye grow up as they shared 37 years married life. Dugy died in 1987 but Mary continued her active life both supported by and supporting her family.

Although a busy mother, Mary was for many years a relief nurse in Lismore, indeed, at the age of 79, she delivered her own grandson -John Carmichael. Mary loved her grandchildren and was much loved by them; her proudest moment was when she was present on the last Sunday of January 2005 to witness the baptism of her first great granddaughter in Lismore Church.

All her life Mary was fit and active working on the croft with Dugy, being a busy housewife and mother and always making her home a very welcoming place with tea and baking offered as soon as you were in the door. She was a lifelong member of the Church and active in the Guild, being genuinely interested in and caring for all.

Age held no fears for Mary, so she was very ready at 79 to make her first trip out of Scotland going to Canada with her son Dougie and daughter-in-law Mary and enjoying every moment of it.

Mary MacDougall will be remembered in Lismore and beyond for the love she gave her family, the warmth of her friendship, and her friendliness and kindness to all who met her.