Title: "100 not out"!

Williamina (Minnie) CASEBY (nee MACFARLANE), born 26/05/1901.

A brief Biography to Celebrate her 100th Birthday on 26/05/2001. Address for Greetings: Room 6, Clashfarquhar House, Robert Street, Stonehaven, Scotland, UK. AB39 2DJ.

By Ronald Rodger CASEBY, BA(Hons. 2.1.) OU, DMS, PGCE, etc., her youngest son aged 64.

INTRODUCTION: My intention is to give the reader a further flavour of my 100 year old mother's life and times, hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, and adversities and triumphs.I have based this account of Minnie's first century on my 48 years of gradual genealogy intelligence gathering from her, and from my late father.

I have written up notes during, or immediately after, conversations when she has been recalling family folk lore. The same has been attempted with lengthy factual personal discussions with her. My narrative has also been compiled from verbal answers she has given to genealogical questions about family relationships, and stories about people in her Photograph and Autograph Albums, through written answers to specific questions sent by letter, and answers given by telephone.

My mother has based her replies to me partly on her memory, and partly on precious information she holds contained in letters, printed items, and keep-sakes given to her by dear ones. Items which conjure up tales of deep emotion, such as a photograph of her first boyfriend's grave marker in France where he died during WW1.

On the more controversial matters that others would suppress I have letters in my files which support all of my situational and explanatory statements that have used to put events into a real context. Trying to narrate events in an interesting way for the reader can sometimes cause them to be rearranged and so to jump backwards and forwards in time, place, and sequence.

This narrative is not meant to be a sterile and cold list of dates and event locations. Nor is it meant to be a Public Relations presentation with the truth filtered out as a salve particular consciences. It has been written to give a broad historical overview as well as an intimate family framework into which Minnie, the true woman for all seasons, can be placed. And what a wonderful woman and loving mother shines forth from the following pages which hardly do her justice.

Incidentally, the title "100 not out" is a reference to a cricket score. An injured or disabled cricket player can still bat when his turn comes and have a "runner" to do the legwork. At the beginning of March 2001 I told Minnie about a player who had just scored a century in an international game. She joked, "I think I will manage my first century on my own but I will need a "runner" to help with the second"! That gave me the idea for a suitable title.

"100 not out"!

Williamina CASEBY (nee MACFARLANE), widow of Rev. Alexander CASEBY, will be

quietly celebrating her 100th Birthday with a few family, fellow residents, and friends at a Buffet

Lunch from 12-30 p.m. on 26/05/2001 in the Church of Scotland Residential Home at; Room 6,

Clashfarquhar House, Robert Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2DJ. There she has been lovingly cared

for by Brenda Pirie and her dedicated staff since March 1996. If you wish to please feel free to

send her a Birthday Card for she will have few of her own loved ones are still alive and all of her

contemporary relatives and friends are long dead.

Williamina, daughter of Charles MACFARLANE and Jemima Smith RAITT, was born on

26/05/1901 at Drumyellow Farm, Loanmouth, Carmylie, Forfar. William was an old Christian

name in the MACFARLANE family. William, her oldest brother who died before she was born.

In honour of William her parents had her Christened with the feminine equivalent name, Williamina. (Minnie's "Early Recollections" were published in Rootsweb's Missing Links, Vol. 4, No. 49 in December 1999, and can be found in the archives.) That narrative attracted a big, wide and favourable email response asking for more about her genealogy, life, and times. Here it is.

Minnie has the following Scottish surnames (and their multitude of variants) from the Fife,

Angus, Kincardineshire and Aberdeenshire areas of Scotland, in her ancestry for the past 450 years; ORMOND, RAITT, ROBBIE, MOLLISON, ROBERTSON, CHALMERS, SMITH, BEARN, SELBY, WATT, LAMONT, NAPIER, SOUTAR, AITKEN, WALKER, LESLIE, BROWN, SALMON, BLAIR, BUICK, TAYLOR, GRAHAM, GREY, ALEXANDER, MURRAY, and others inter-related surnames too numerous to mention in her Family Tree. (Minnie's Genealogy can be seen at the following Internet site: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~casebyrr)

Minnie's father and mother came from large families which themselves came from even larger ones over several past generations. Many of Minnie's Uncles and Aunts and ancestors moved to England, Wales, and Ireland to find employment, or emigrated to avoid starvation and persecution. Some 13th to 16th century ancestors were forcibly removed from their Croft holdings (small subsistence farms where the owners needed another source of income to survive, such as fishing or weaving) in "Clearances". This was done by the Landlord's to make way for sheep grazing. Other folks were overtaxed, constantly fined, and harassed, for some discriminatory reason, and latterly so because of their Cameronian (Protestant) beliefs.

Amongst those punishments was a nasty political one designed to solve two tricky problems with

dissident groups. An amnesty was granted to one irresponsible group of dissidents. That crowd

being the looting, plundering, murdering, and marauding bands of Roman Catholic Highland

Gaelic speaking clansmen of ancient Irish lineage. They were fighters hired by the Crown but

now no longer needed for internal wars. As those freelance soldiers could no longer earn a living

from the soil to feed their families with their killing skills they then resorted to their open warfare plundering tactics against the civil population.

The second part of the cunning political plan was to make a law allowing the uneducated Highlanders and their families free board and lodgings in the homes of the responsible Lowland Protestant farming and fishing folks. These new uninvited "guests" did not have to work. Initially they took whatever they wanted, and behaved as they pleased without fear of punishment from the law.

Thus, the English Government sought to solved two troublesome Scottish problems by making one, the frustrated soldiers, a constant irritation within the homes of the other, the Protestants, to make those latter families repent their heretical beliefs and return to the true faith. That one true faith being either the Roman Catholic or Anglican version depending on which Monarch was in power.

Those freeloader "guest" families probably included Irish PARLAN tribe. This O'PARLAN, or

PARLAN surname being adapted in Scotland to MCPARLAN and MACFARLANE. The

MACFARLANE name came from this Highland clan that had in its turn come from Ireland in

the 11th century to settled on the western shores of Loch Lomond. Their war cry was "Loch Sloy"

for that was the name of a lake in their lands set at the foot of Ben Voirlich. MACFARLANE

warriors were renowned for having thick bright red body hair.

Is told that as they rushed at the enemy in battle shouting "Loch Sloy", waving their swords, and would raise their kilt fronts just before they reached the enemy lines. This frightening sight put terror into their enemies who fled for fear of such mighty men!

The MACFARLANE dispersal from the Highlands led to the end of the clans fortunes. The clan Chief at one stage married into the powerful LENNOX family in an attempt to keep the clan alive.

It was effectively disbanded when the last Chief's sold the Clan Headquarters at Arrocher. It was bought by the Duke of Argyll. That last known MACFARLANE Clan Chief was thought to have

Immigrated to America in shame at the end of the 18th century and has never been heard of since.

So there may be an American reading this who does not know that he is the true Clan Chief.

But back to the "freeloaders". Luckily most of the troublesome warriors soon settled down, intermarried and adopted the language, habits, skills, values and faith of their new neighbours. In this way some of Minnie's MACFARLANE (or MCPARLAN) ancestors may well have been some of those integrated into the gentle ways of the North East Coast of Scotland's and also Fife's farming and fishing folk. In turn the MACFARLANE intruders brought strong new blood and spirits to an already great gene pool.

Other of Minnie's ancestors emigrated as pioneers in search of tolerance and freedom. Those brave adventurers moved to most parts of the world. Minnie's blood relations can be found in Canada, North and South America, Jamaica, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Probably, some

of you reading this who has any of the above Scottish surnames in your ancestry are distantly

related to Minnie.

As she looks back on her life and the hardship suffered by previous generations, Minnie is proud

of the fact that her ancestry is connected to honest, educated, clean living, hard working and sincere simple country and seaside folk. She finds no kudos in the boastful claims of others people about being related to important or rich people such as Kings, Lords, Clan Chiefs, Landowners, and invaders in past generations. Any such august ancestry equates in Minnie's thoughts, steeped as they are in real family history, with those who for there own selfish ends oppressed, over taxed, harassed, dispossessed, enslaved, transported, cheated, and starved, the unfortunate poor humble folks unlucky enough to be subject to their domination.

But back to the main story, if you please. Minnie became engaged to Alexander (Sandy) CASEBY at Dron, Fife, Scotland on 20/03/1922. This was just before he left the Army at the end

of March and began his academic and practical education and training, and Nyasaland Timbuku language lessons, for African Foreign Missionary work in Edinburgh. (Minnie also learned the language. Years later, we children we were constantly frustrated as Minnie and Sandy discussed important matter in that language without fear of us understanding a word.)

To state that the Engagement date was Monday, 20/03/1922, is not entirely correct. Sandy always thought that they became Engaged after he sought his own parents blessing, and later asked Minnie's father for her hand in marriage, and received their approval, on the early evening of Sunday, 19/03/1922. Privately, and later that same evening, Sandy formally kneeled on the rough surfaces of a road bridge over a railway line adjacent to Minnie's home and asked her to marry him. She was overjoyed to accept. That is why Sandy always believed that the Engagement date was 19/03/1922.

Sandy had not bought a ring for he wanted Minnie to help him with the choice. Sandy joined Minnie in Cupar at her lunchtime break on Monday, 20/03/1922, and a ring was chosen, and bought, which needed some adjustments. Minnie collected the ring from the Jewellers before returning home on Tuesday, 21/03/1922. This was a memorable day in the farming and country folks calendar being the longest day, and first day of Spring, it being the Equinox. That evening both sets of parents were present when Sandy officially placed the ring on Minnie's finger. In her romantic heart of hearts Minnie has always believed that this was the moment of her Engagement.

Like the sensible people they are, a compromise was agreed when the actual Engagement date confusion became evident at their first Anniversary. Both accepted that in future Monday, 20/03/1922, should be the celebration date it being the last day of Winter. Minnie can still recall how wonderful the next day was at work when she could show off her ring to her work friends who had all made a point of having a good look at Sandy when he had collected Minnie from work on the Monday to choose a ring. She recalls that first day, as the first day of a bright, clear, fresh, colourful and invigorating Spring that was to last for the rest of her married life.

On the late evening of Tuesday, 21/03/1922, Minnie, and Sandy left the party of happy parents,

family and friends at Dron Cottage and strolled to the spot where Sandy had proposed. Sandy's

boot kicked a 6 inch long Blacksmith's hand made rusty nail in the boiler clinker that covered the

road. That gave him an inspiration. Together they carved their initials into the centre sandstone

coping of the wall of the bridge which spanned the main Edinburgh to St. Andrew's railway line.

This was about 50 feet from Minnie's parents cottage door. (This tradition has been repeated by

most of their children on their Engagement.)

Once he was established in what was then called Nyasaland (now Malawi) Sandy asked Minnie to join him and marry him in Livingstonia and she accepted. Her letter confirming her travel arrangements together with a recent lovely photograph arrived to cheer Sandy up as he was recovering from his first bout of Malaria. Sandy wrote a poem called the "Dream Photograph" and sent it to her with a recent photo of himself. (If you wish to read Sandy's poem to Minnie you can see it at the following website along with others about his experiences of life and war: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/5245/page2.html).

They were married by the Rt. Rev. Robert LAWS at Livingstonia, Malawi, Central Africa, on

30/04/1924. Rev. Dr. Laws was also Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland at that time and so they were married by the "top man" in their Church.

Minnie and Sandy had six children namely; Margaret (Margaret) Smith Raitt, and twins Alexander (Sandy) Angus, George Grant (Grant), Cyril (Cyril) MacFarlane, Charles (Charlie) John, and Ronald (Ronnie) Rodger.

Together Minnie and Sandy were a formidable, productive, exemplary, and successful partnership

and excellent parents. Their marriage was one unashamedly dedicated to God's greater glory, in

everything they attempted. Their working life was accomplished without failing to keep the Christian upbringing of there young ones as they're dearest, most sacred and constant priority.

Especially with regard to ensuring that their children had a loving, sharing, happy, warm, and hygienic home environment, sound religious instruction, and an all round general education, a

healthy balanced diet, and plenty of enjoyable physical exercise in the fresh air.

Now in the warm twilight of her life, Minnie delights in having 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grand-children to enjoy. To date she has managed to see, hold, kiss and bless 31 of those 36. Also to have had her photograph taken with them and there parents. Her one remaining hope is to do the same soon with the remaining 5 and their parents.

Minnie brought into her marriage her strong and sound "United Free Church" faith which she learned from her parents and at Logie Gauldry United Free ("Wee Free") Church in Fife, Scotland. Throughout her life she has maintained that early unshakeable belief in the overwhelming love of God for all people of whatever creed and colour, and of following Christ's example of caring for the less fortunate, especially children. On the practical aspects of home making she contributed cooking, baking expertise, fruit, vegetable, meat and egg preserving, house-keeping skills, dancing, and country wisdom taught to her by her mother. She also learned music and to play the Auto-Harp, singing, animal husbandry, butchery, and fruit, vegetable and flower gardening techniques, and poultry rearing learned from her father. As a big plus Minnie acquired a sense of fun and a love for country music and Scottish dancing from them both. Like her parents before her, Minnie can see the funny side of most incidents around her and even trivial mishaps can induces infectious tearful laughter which spreads to all around her.

To Minnie's list of blessings, honed through her own hard efforts and application, can be added expert dressmaking skills acquired by a long Apprenticeship in Forfar, and natural organising, communicating, financing, directing and leadership talents. All such abilities being essentials to be the successful wife of a Missionary or a Parish Minister. Sandy was always the first to acknowledge that he could not have achieved what he did in so many field of endeavour without Minnie's love, advice, support, care, companionship, friendship, nursing, and guidance.

As if all of this abundance of talent was not enough Minnie has always shown a passion and capacity for selfless hard work. This being focussed firstly on her family and secondly on the wellbeing of others. For example, Minnie still gives to each of her children and their families 100% love and attention when she is able. Nor is she slow to sternly correct any of them, or others close to her, when they fall below her acceptable standards of polite conduct, moral living and honest effort put into anything attempted, such as into their education, work, or marriage.

She is proud of each of her extended family for any worthwhile work they do, as if each was her only child. She has willingly shared in, and as keenly felt, each one of her family's injuries, bereavements, grief's, illnesses and disappointments, just as if they where her own. At such testing times she is always the first to share the burden, to offer love, compassion, practical help, and advice in her attempts to heal any hurting soul.

Sandy and Minnie's Home Church Missionary service and Ministries were in Malawi, Central

Africa (1924 to 1929), and in Scotland at Lundin Links, Fife (1929 to 1933, and where Sandy became an Church Elder of the Church of Scotland), Newmills, Fife, (1933 to 1947), Blackridge, West Lothian (1947 to 1954), Drumoak, Aberdeenshire, (1954 to 1959), and Carlops, Mid Lothian (1959 to 1965). Together they comforted parishioners in life's cruel times of war, disaster, epidemic, death, illness or tragedy, and rejoiced with them in life's happy ordinary events.

Minnie's many worthwhile gifts were put to good use in Africa. There she was able to assist Sandy with the development of the practical educational aspects of the rudimentary Woman's Guild work at, and around, Livingstonia, Malawi, from 1924 to 1929. She was also proficient and tireless nurse to her husband for most of his life after he was invalided from Africa in 1929 with Cerebral Malaria. In 1929 diagnosis of, and repatriation for, this condition was akin to an imminent death sentence. Minnie had been given a similar death sentence by her doctors in 1914 after Rheumatic Fever had weakened her heart. She survived and so she had cause to doubt, and enough faith to reject, the expert's morbid medical predictions for Sandy. Due to Minnie's sure and certain inward faith, continual deep spiritual strength, prolonged loving care, cheerful encouragement and delicious cooking, her true love Sandy was soon on the mend.

In WW2 Minnie was the driving force behind the Church Canteen in Newmills, Fife, that catered for the entertainment and welfare needs of soldiers from all the Services. For example she organised local people to write last letters home to wives, children and loved ones for illiterate young soldiers, sailors and airmen on their way to war zones. She also saw that there were parties, concerts and dances to cheer the servicemen for a few hours before they went to face death or injury in war zones. Similar happy distractions were prepared for Land Army women, and hospitalised servicemen, some of foreign extraction, such as Poles, French, and Indian.

Minnie also led the Women's Guild at each Church in worship and fund raising. Sandy and Minnie made decisions as a team and were attracted to serve Churches that were poor in membership, run down in fabric and lacking in funds. They liked the challenge of building up both bricks and mortar and so raise the congregations faith. Likewise, they're various Church Manses were usually in a dilapidated state when they found them, but not when they left them!.

Together, Minnie and Sandy brought new and vibrant life and worship into those ailing Church mining, farming, and fishing communities. Together they taught congregations to restore comfort and beauty to decaying premises and fabrics by the free application of their varied, combined and complementary talents. All of this hard work was expressly dedicated to, and done for, the greater glory of God, and to the furtherance of Christ's Kingdom upon earth.

After WW2, Minnie's financial and housekeeping skills help Sandy to study for and become an Ordained Minister of the Church of Scotland in 1947. To that Church of Scotland they both continued to give faithful, sacrificial, and sterling service in terms of time, talent, and money for as long as they were able.

An active and happy retirement was first spent in Balhouffie Farm House, Anstruther (1965 to 1976), and then at 4, Macduff Road, Glenrothes, Fife, or "Nyasa" as they fondly renamed it. "Nyasa" was the first house they bought when they were both over 70 years old. This purchase was made possible, thanks mainly to Minnie's careful lifetime of sound financial management as well as to financial support from the Church of Scotland by way of a low interest loan. They were happy and content to live quietly together in "Nyasa" until Sandy died suddenly on 14/05/1991, aged 93 years, in their home.

Whilst still living in "Nyasa" Minnie fulfilled her husband's dearest last wish which had been frustrated by his death. As a lasting memorial to her dearly beloved Sandy Minnie had his Biography published under the title "Going with God" (ISBN 0-86332-859-8). She also asked Ronnie to arrange with T. Jake MUWAMBA, Malawi High Commissioner in the UK, for the gifting of some 300 copies of the Biography and associated material to Church Museums, Theological Colleges, Libraries, and the National Archives in Malawi. These gifts were transported in early 1996 by courtesy of Mr. John KERINS, General Manager of Air Malawi in the UK.

Then at a packed ceremony of ordinary people, Church dignitaries and academics the books were presented on her behalf on 21/06/1996 by Sir John WHITE, the British Ambassador in Malawi, to the chosen institutions through the good offices of Rev. Maxwell M. BANDA, Education Secretary, and Rev. Dr. O. P. MAZUNDA, General Secretary, of the Livingstonia Synod, of the Presbyterian Church of Central Africa. To her delight Malawi Television recorded the events and Mr. M. NYIRENDA, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, Post and Telecoms., sent her a videotape of the event which is now one of her precious treasures.

After Sandy died in 1991 Minnie expected to move into her daughters home as she had been promised repeatedly since 1965. Minnie eagerly awaited the fulfilment of the consoling promise. It never happened. This unexplained failure to honour a solemn and well publicised guarantee was conveniently forgotten without ever a word of explanation, excuse, or explanation for the change of heart. From 1991 to date this felt rejection by her beloved daughter, and most favoured eldest child, hurts Minnie's conscience as one of the cruellest blows she had to bear at her really fraught and frightening time of loss.

Still ruggedly independent Minnie refused home sharing offers from Sandy, Grant, and Ronnie, three of her children, and from Rodger her grandson in an attempt to soothe her hurt. Sandy her eldest son even offered to leave his own home and move into Minnie's to help her manage her affairs. Minnie graciously refused their loving offers as they might cause strife within her family. Instead she announced that she had made alternative plans to stay in her own home for as long as possible with some hired help, and the help of neighbours.

Minnie managed her new independent lifestyle well at first. She did catch colds easily because she tried hard to save on heating costs in a chilly part of the country. At one stage Minnie very capably countered and warded off an attempt by her daughter. and her husband, to have Minnie removed into Social Services Care as not being mentally capable of looking after herself, or her affairs. She was horrified that her daughter could be so cruel to her mother for Minnie had spared her daughter nothing. Minnie had good reason to be again grateful to Ronnie who foiled this attempted act of sheer callousness. For some weeks after this incident Minnie was so downhearted that he constantly spoke of wanting her life to end because she was hated by some of those she loved most in her own family. She said that it was a good thing that Sandy had died and not lived to deal with this wickedness towards her. Thank mainly to Cyril, and Gladys (MAKIN), his wife, Minnie was brought through this perplexing and dramatic spell in her life at the age of 92 years, like the Great-heart that she is. Cyril and Glady's faithfulness and support was never more needed by Minnie than at this unnecessary and distressing time in her life when all should have been joy and peace.

About four years after Sandy's death, and after a harsh winter that brought on a severe and stubborn chest infection, Minnie decided that she could no longer look after herself if another such illness overwhelmed her system. Ever resourceful, she again made her own arrangements to enter a Retirement Home in Kirkcaldy, Fife, run by a distant relative in February 1995.

This home was close to where Sandy had been cremated and on the doorstep of Victoria Hospital. It was convenient for her son Cyril and his wife Gladys, her most constant and attentive financial affairs arrangers and dependable companions, to visit her from their home in Leith, Edinburgh. It was also near to her only remaining and younger widowed sister, Meg, who lived in Balcurvie, Fife. It was also equally near to Sandy's only surviving cousin, Dr Norman Oswald RODGER who lived in Kirkcaldy. After her son Cyril's retirement, and house shift from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, Minnie was delighted to be able to move nearer to them by entering Clashfarquhar House, Stonehaven, in March 1996. Minnie had come to hear about the home through Allison, the daughter of Cyril and Gladys. Allison had heard about the home from her mother-in-law who had a friend that worked part-time in it. This marvellous move also delighted Minnie for it meant that her children Margaret and Charlie who also lived in Aberdeen, some 15 miles away, could visit her more frequently.

In the past those from outside her family have expressed amazement at Minnie's regular output of handcrafted items throughout life, for her fingers and needles were seldom seen to be idle. Such creative activity continued until the age of 98 years. This slowing down was due to a number of gradual physical disabilities suddenly accelerating at the same time. This included sight and hearing deterioration, main joint which was especially severe in her fingers. This slowed her output to a trickle, or stopped it in some cases, of the knitting, sewing, and crocheting of useful items. This included practical goods, such as blankets and soft toys. All in the past having been made to the high standards she has always demanded from herself. For example she made over 400 colourful blankets which were sent to the less fortunate throughout the world with many going to needy people in her beloved Malawi, and there were always gifts in store for Grandchildren, or other youngsters who called.

Sadly, after a long illness bravely borne, Charlie died of cancer on 17/06/1998, aged 64 years, in Anchor Ward, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He died about an hour after a family bedside service of thanksgiving conducted by the Rev. MUNRO, Tor Na Dee Hospice Chaplain. Jane (BROWN), Charlie's wife, movingly told the barely comprehending Charlie and others present what a wonderful husband he had been, and how happy he had made her life. It was hard for Minnie to grasp that she was about to lose Charlie. She realised that he had always been the most delicate of her children and it was amazing that he had cheerfully survived so much serious illness over the years. He had been named Charles John after her own beloved father. Her pet name for her ever cheerful son had been "Chicky Jock".

The prospect of Charlie's loss brought back the old and painful memories of watching own beloved father to die slowly after falling and again breaking a partially healed hip joint. During the service Minnie was silently recalling how she and her sister Meg (WALLACE) had pleaded with the local doctor to end their nearly 82 year old father's suffering on 15/05/1951. And how mercifully a peaceful death had happened within a few hours.

Thus Minnie instinctively knew, although she did not want to accept, that she was seeing Charlie alive for the last time. She also approved of, and understood exactly, what the nursing staff in the hospice had done to ease Charlie's suffering during the cancer's terminal stages. By way of Benediction Minnie gently held Charlie, hugged and kissed him as best she could, and commended his soul in her heart to God's safe keeping. She insisted in attending Charlie's funeral to pay her last respects and to support Widow Jane who she now regards as her daughter.

Some weeks later Minnie said that in a strange way she was pleased Charlie was no longer

suffering but with his natural father in heaven. The reason being that she felt selfish at having all

her children with her and Sandy had none with him. Now, she said, she felt that Sandy would no

longer be alone for he had Charlie, his own child, with him.

Charlie's death hastened Minnie's already declining health. Her physical condition, constant pain, and loss of creativity continues for Minnie to be a daily ordeal, a test of her life-long faith, and a cruel trial of her natural stoical patience. Despite this she suppresses most cries of pain and apologises to those present for those that bring forth an involuntary "yelp". Idleness is an offence to her intensely independent spirit, and to her active intellect. Bad organisation leading to wastefulness of anything is also an annoyance which makes her bite her tongue rather than offend the perpetrators lest she be thought of as boastful for suggesting a more efficient or effective method. She feels frustrated that she cannot continue to be in control of everyday events and contribute to the community as she once did.

Unfortunately, Minnie's cruel infirmities, about which she rarely complains to others, have robbed her of the pleasures of doing housework, writing letters, needlework, knitting, and other crafts. Now she fills much of her time praying for her widely scattered family and friends and enjoying Scottish music, such as the late Jimmy Shand's Band and the Alexander Brothers, and hymns and songs by singers like the late Jim Reeves. Another pleasure is having weekly tape recordings delivered of Rev. John Anderson, her Minister, conducting the Sunday morning service at Mannofield Church, Aberdeen, which she can listen to in the quiet of her own Sitting Room. It is also a great joy to be able to attending morning Daily Worship led by Clashfarquhar House staff, afterwards have tea and a chat with fellow residents, and then have the Daily Newspaper read to the assembled group.

Being the fighter Minnie still manages to do some craft-work, for example by making presents for all her family for Christmas 2000 at the Home's afternoon recreational activity group. This gift took the form of a flat teapot cut from the decorated front of old Christmas Cards. The reverse blank side of each "teapot" had a round tea bag hinge stapled to the back of it. The teabag hid a little printed note personalised with Minnie's own shaky but clear signature. The note said "I'd love to come and talk with you, and have a cup of tea. But as I can't be with you, please have this one on me". I know that the present thrilled me, my children and their spouses and my grandchildren. The tea will not be made or drunk for the entire gift is too precious and thoughtful a loving keep-sake to be consumed.

On early March 2001 Cyril MACFARLANE CASEBY asked Minnie to summarise her experiences of work, family rearing, and faith, and to explain her secret for long life. She told him that her life has been a happy. One full of hard work. One with little money and fewer luxuries. She added that she had brought up her family to the best of her ability and always enjoyed working for the Church. Her recipe for long life was total abstinence, no smoking, and early to bed early to rise. When Cyril asked what she would like to eat as a treat on her 100th Birthday her answer was a "clootie" dumpling and some fresh raspberries. The simple foods of her youth were still her favourites. (Readers wishing for the recipe and preparation methods for a "clootie" dumpling will find them detailed in "Food, Glorious Food", Rootsweb Missing Links, Vol. 4, No. 52.)

Most perceptive people who have had the privileged of sharing in Minnie's life and work have come to appreciate her independent character, sharp intelligence, downright common sense, truthful nature, forthright opinions, practical faith, and indomitable courage. Altogether, she is a most extraordinary mother and woman whose main effort in life has been devoted to leaving the world a better place than she found it. Her driving force in life could very well be summed up in the prayer of Saint Francis, "Lord, put the world right, starting with me"!

Minnie misses Sandy a lot. She looks forward with peace in her heart to being in heaven with Sandy, her one true love, her son Charlie, and all her loved ones who have gone on before. She has no doubt about the existence of a loving God, or of her place in heaven as a faithful believer in the promises of His Son, and her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Ends.

PS. For those of you who would like some more of Minnie's comments about her family, her life and times there follows another narrative which I have not had time to integrate into the above at 13/03/2001. Be warned, many of the answers are not for the faint hearted. Especially those about the vanishing values in our culture! The item is entitled "42 Answers"