SNP

Tributes have been paid to former Forres councillor and community stalwart, Hilda Cumiskie, who died in Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin on Friday (January 15) after being admitted 48 hours earlier.

Mrs Cumiskie, who recently celebrated her 86th birthday, was well known around the Forres area for not being afraid to make her views known regarding issues which affected the town.

She was especially concerned about Forres House Community Centre, which she frequented regularly for art classes and to enjoy the company of other people in the coffee bar area, which she had managed for several years when it first opened.

Her daughter Sandra Gallop, said that her mum died suddenly and would be missed, but fondly remembered, having enjoyed a lively and good life as a servant to her community, but which also included an interest in amateur dramatics and being one of the first women to work on the former Forres South signal box.

“Mum always thought Forres belonged to her and she could do what she liked with it,“ she said. “She used to say that Forres was her town.“

Hilda was born Hilda Macdonald in 1923 and was one of eleven children. She went to Glasgow where she was studying engineering and married her husband, Tommy, in 1942 when he had a 48 hour leave pass from the army.

Unfortunately, he was injured in the war, which left him in poor health. The Cumiskies worked together on the railways in Forres, before Tommy died in 1984.

Sandra said that Mrs Cumiskie was greatly saddened by what had happened to her husband and also by the death of her brother, Sandy, who was killed at the end of the war.

“The family had all the celebrations thinking that the war was over,“ she said. “Then they received the telegram about Sandy’s death a couple of days after VE Day. It was a horrendous time for them and mum never forgot or got over it.“

She said that it was after her husband’s death that her mum really became involved in politics and council business, resulting in her great affiliation to the Scottish National Party and also her work for Forres as a Moray District Councillor, and as one of the longest serving councillors until she retired aged 76.

Local SNP councillor, Irene Ogilivie said Hilda was a “very caring and thoughtful person” who put the people of Forres before anything else.

“Hilda served the people of Forres for many years whether in an official position or not,“ she said. “She was held in the highest esteem.“

Mrs Ogilvie added that Hilda was convener of the Forres branch of the SNP for many years, before becoming President.

“She was a true stalwart and patriot for Forres and the SNP, and will be remembered with the fondest of memories and be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her,“ she said. “My sincere condolences go out to her family at this very sad time.“ Moray MP Angus Robertson and MSP Richard Lochhead also paid tribute to her.

“Hilda was a great servant for her community and for Scotland,“ said Mr Lochhead. “She was a very well respected member of the SNP whose advice I always valued. I am shocked and very saddened by the loss of Hilda who was hugely popular in Forres and was always surrounded by friends every time I met her. It was only a couple of months ago when I was privileged to be chaperoned by her when I attended the recent Rembrance Day service in Forres where she was her usual entertaining and sprightly self. My thoughts are with her family and many friends.“

Mr Robertson said that Hilda was involved in many aspects of Forres life over the years and had impressed him.

“On a personal level Hilda has been a great support to me in my own political life and was closely involved in recent SNP campaigns,“ he said. “I will miss both her lively wit and her experienced counsel. I know that Hilda was especially delighted when the SNP were elected to Government and if it were not for her efforts the SNP would not enjoy the levels of support that we have in Forres. My thoughts are the many people, both family and friends, who feel her loss.“

Local councillor, Jeff Hamilton described Hilda as a “well kent figure in Forres” who during her time as a councillor, worked hard for the town, and Moray as a whole. He said that some of her thoughts will live on, as they can be heard, as podcasts, on the Friends of Falconer website.

Councillor Iain Young said that he was extremely saddened by Hilda’s loss and described her as a real lady and one of those “old fashioned type of lady SNP politicians” who had a real passion for what they did.

“She was a great supporter of Forres House Community Centre and was a great servant and fighter for the town and people of Forres,“ he said. “She was a witty, charming, very elegant lady, and very courteous. She will be missed.“

Mr Young said that as well as being known as a former vice convener of Moray council and for all the work that she did in the community, she was also a woman who loved her family. Mr Young’s wife Frances enjoys art classes at the community centre where she recalled enjoying chatting with Hilda about their respective grand-children. He said that his “heartfelt sympathies” went out to all Hilda’s family.

Her funeral was held at St Laurence Parish Church followed by a burial at Clovenside Cemetery.