Death Notices

REFSON Passed away, at home, on Monday, 7th July, 2025, Enid May Whittle Refson, retired school technician, aged 87 years, of Hill of Forss, Thurso. Beloved wife of the late Jacob (Jack) Refson, mother of Keith, Neil and Kathleen, grandmother to Johanna and Isobel. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms on Monday, 28th July, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of R.N.L.I.

SUTHERLAND Peacefully, at home in Edinburgh, on Friday, 11th July, 2025, Barbara Gunn Sutherland (nee Allan) aged 87 years, originally of Durran Mains, and later of Camfield House, Thurso. Beloved wife of the late Ron Sutherland, loving mum to Hugh and Elaine and mother-in-law to Colin. Much loved granny of Louise, Juila, Donald and Allan and a devoted great-grandmother. Funeral private at Barbara's request.

HAWES It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Baby Agatha Shona Hawes on 5th July, 2025, suddenly but peacefully, at home in her mother's arms, aged 6 weeks. Much loved daughter to James and Belinda, niece to Charlotte, granddaughter to Su, Tim, Katrina, Susie, and Bruce. Thanksgiving service within West Church, Thurso, on Monday, 21st July, at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All family friends respectfully invited, please do not wear black. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may given in aid of the neonatal care unit at Ninewells Hospital.

BATES Peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on Sunday, 13th July, 2025, Peter, aged 84 years, of Portskerra. Beloved husband of Sheila, much loved dad to Michael and Joanna, very dear father-in-law to Liz and Hamish, loving papa to Robbie, James and Danny. A dear brother, uncle and friend to many. Funeral service within Strathy Church on Friday, 25th July, service commencing at 12 noon; thereafter to Strathy Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of the Caithness Kidney Dialysis Support Group.

SMITH Suddenly, but peacefully, on Wednesday, 9th July, 2025, Alex (Alexander), aged 83 years, of Dwarwick Place, Dunnet. Beloved husband of Audrey, loving father to Stephen and Aileen, and the late Iain and Alexander, much loved grandfather to Isla, Struan and Liam and father-in-law to Alison and Ofir. Memorial tea at the Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet on Friday, 18th July, at 2pm, to which all friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the memorial in aid of the North Highland Cancer Information & Support Centre.

ROSS Peacefully, in Pentland View Nursing Home, on 9th July, 2025, George, of 6 Durness Street, Thurso. Beloved husband of Betty, dearly loved dad of Elizabeth, George and Richard, a dear father-in-law and grandad. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms, Thurso on Friday, 18th July, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given in aid of Dementia Scotland.

CHALMERS (Elgin). Peacefully, passed away at Anderson's Care Home, Elgin on Sunday, 6th July, 2025, William (Bill) in his 99th year. Dearly beloved husband of the late Lucy, devoted father of Catherine, John, Jamie and Anne, father-in-law to Brendan and Hamish, adored grandad to Rachel, Murray, Patrick, Christopher and a good friend to so many. Funeral service, to which all friends are respectfully invited, at Elgin Parish Church, on Tuesday, 22nd July, at 2pm; thereafter cremation private. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, at church for General Anderson's Trust.

MILLER Peacefully, in Pentland View Care Home, on Sunday, 29th June, 2025, Elizabeth (Marbeth), aged 82 years, of Smith Terrace, Thurso. Beloved wife of the late Grant, loving mum to Grant, Diane, Susan and Martin, a loving mother-in-law, nana and great-nana. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms, Thurso on Thursday, 10th July, service commencing at 2pm, to which all friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of Caithness General Hospital. Thereafter to private cremation.

HENDERSON Peacefully, in Bayview House Care Home on 24th June, 2025, Alexander, formerly of Duncansby House, Thurso. A dear brother, uncle and friend. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms, Thurso on Tuesday, 8th July, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, may be given in aid of British Heart Foundation.

SWANSON In Pentland View Care Home, Thurso, on 18th June, 2025, Betty (nee McKain), aged 92 years. Beloved wife of the late Bill, a loving mam to Angela, William and the late John, a dear mother-in-law, granny and great-granny. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms, Thurso on Monday, 30th June, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please.

HARPER Suddenly but peacefully, after a short illness, on Friday, 20th June, 2025, Jane (Judy), aged 82 yeas, of Seaforth Avenue, Wick. Beloved wife of the late Jack Harper, loving mother to John, Stephen and Judy, much loved grandmother to Elizabeth, Sarah and Sophie and loving mother-in-law to Jeanette and Greg. Funeral service from Sinclair's Restrooms, Macarthur Street, Wick on Monday, 30th June, commencing at 1.45pm; thereafter to Wick Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of the Wick Flowers. Collection at restroom doors.

DEARNESS Peacefully, at Windyedge Care Home, Forfar, on Friday, 13th June, 2025, Maureen, aged 92 years. Devoted wife of the late Ian, much loved mother of Wendy and Mark. Funeral private at Maureen's own request.

DISBURY It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John, in Dunbar Hospital on Monday, 23rd June, 2025. John was the beloved husband of Kathleen and a loving dad of Matthew and Stephanie. He was a doting grandad of Erin and Norah, a dear brother, uncle and father-in-law. John will be sorely missed. Cremation private at John's request.

DISBURY It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John, in Dunbar Hospital on Monday, 23rd June, 2025. John was the beloved husband of Kathleen and a loving dad of Matthew and Stephanie. He was a doting grandad of Erin and Norah, a dear brother, uncle and father-in-law. John will be sorely missed. Cremation private at John's request.

ELDER Peacefully, in Pentland View Care Home, Thurso on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025, Catherine (Kate), aged 81 years, formerly of Bayview Terrace, Thurso. Beloved wife of the late Sammy, loving mum to George, Smilie, Audrey, Jackie and the late John and Sammo, a much loved mother-in-law, nana and great-nana, a dear aunt and friend to many. Funeral service within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms on Tuesday, 1st July, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of Pentland View Care Home.

JAPPY - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ian, in his home with his daughter by his side on Saturday 14th June 2025, aged 80 years, of The Steading, Bettyhill. Beloved husband of the late Joan, much loved dad to Alison and Kim, loving Dada to Ramsay, Ava and baby Charleigh, a dear brother, uncle and friend. Funeral service within Inverness Crematorium on Thursday, 26th June, service commencing at 1 pm. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of Helimed 2 (Scottish Air Ambulance Service). 

MACKAY Peacefully, in Bayview House, Thurso, on Thursday, 12th June, 2025, Mary (Myra), aged 98 years. Beloved wife of the late Robert Angus, a loving mother to Robert, Alan and Helen, a dear mother-in-law, loving granny and great-granny. Funeral service held within Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms on Friday, 4th July, service commencing at 11 am; thereafter to Thurso Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given to the service in aid of Bayview House.

JAMIESON Peacefully, within Dunbar Hospital, Thurso, on Thursday, 12th June, 2025, Maureen, aged 62 years, of Karahm, Murkle, Thurso. Beloved wife of Mark, a loving mother to Gary and Ryan, a much loved daughter-in-law to Elise and sister-in-law to Kim, a very dear sister, aunt and friend to many. A service to celebrate Maureen's life will be held in Ormlie Lodge Service Rooms, Thurso, on Monday, 23rd June, commencing at 3pm. All friends and family are respectfully invited and bright colours are encouraged to be worn. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given at the service in aid of MND Scotland and Dunbar Hospital. Thereafter to private cremation.

STEVEN Suddenly, in Portugal, on 11th May, 2025, James, younger son of the late Jessie and Jimmy Steven. A dearly loved brother, uncle and friend. Funeral private at family's request.

SUTHERLAND Peacefully, in Riverside House, Wick on Sunday, 15th June, 2025, Jean, formerly of Sinclair Square, Halkirk. Beloved wife of the late Peter, a dear sister, aunt and friend to many. Funeral service within Halkirk Church of Scotland on Monday, 23rd June, service commencing at 11am; thereafter to Halkirk Cemetery. All friends respectfully invited. Family flowers only please.