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Catherine MacKenzie
1941-2007
Cathy or Cath as she was known to her family, friends and colleagues, was born in the ferryman’s cottage Ardgour on the 13th August 1941 where she lived with her brother moved to Annat then to Skye after the death of their mother the family came to 33 Kilmallie Road Caol in June 1952.
Cathy was educated at Annat Primary School, Portnalong Primary School, Banavie Primary School and then Fort William Senior Secondary School where she did Commercial Studies, her father wanted her to be come a Secretary, He even managed to get her an interview with the Borough Surveyor but Cathy did not turn up. She was determined to train as a nurse.
Her Father decided if she was to become a nurse she would go to the best Training School, and was sent to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.She qualified as RGN in1962 and worked as staff nurse in various Wards & Departments in Edinburgh Royal.
In July 1963 she came to the old Belford Hospital – where “Making up beds” had a different meaning there – with a flickering torch and by the light of the moon, they had to go to an unlit shed and collect the relevant pieces, hammer together and carry the bed upstairs. Fortunately, the patients were unaware that the beds they were lying on were put together by a young Staff Nurse and an even younger Nursing Auxiliary who had no training for such work.
Cathy trained as a midwife returned to the old Belford Hospital 1965.
When the new Belford opened Cathy went to Maternity Ward as Staff Midwife.
- In 1968 Cathy was promoted to Sister Midwife with a salary of £920 p.a. for a 40 Hour week.
- She was appointed as Senior Ward Sister on Surgical Ward a post she held until the near fatal collapse at work on the 27th March 1997 due to the skill of her Medical & Nursing colleagues at Belford & Glasgow Western, she survived.
Cathy retired from Nursing in June 1998
Not one who liked sitting doing nothing, Cathy revived her Secretarial skills learned at School and became Secretary to Caol Community Council, Caol in Bloom & Caol Regeneration Co.
Cathy lived a full and active life; she had a great sense of humour and fun she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the wider community.
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