Armed forces charity pays tribute to Wick stalwart who died aged 75
A former chairperson of the Caithness branch of Scotland’s armed forces charity has been described as a “powerhouse”.
Frances Purves died last month, aged 75, and will be remembered for her tireless work helping several charities.
Despite having a quadruple heart bypass 27 years ago, and being given only seven years to live, she continued to live life to the full and was chair of the Caithness branch of SSAFA, the armed forces charity, until its amalgamation with the Sutherland branch earlier this year.
William Sutherland, chairperson of the amalgamated SSAFA Caithness and Sutherland branch, said Frances had a “natural instinct” to help others.
“She gave unstintingly of her time and effort to put that instinct into action,” he said.
“Born in London in 1947, Frances moved to Caithness as a young wife and mother. Left to raise her family on her own, she nonetheless managed to combine her duties as a single mother with work as a newspaper and radio reporter.
“As if all that were not enough, she threw herself into a range of charitable works: providing transport for hospital appointments; fundraising for the RNLI for over 20 years; being secretary of the local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland; and setting up a hospital radio station in Wick – and SSAFA, of course.
“And she did all that against a background of physical fragility.
“Twenty-seven years ago, after a quadruple heart bypass, she was given around seven years to live. She outlived that prediction by two decades, which she put to good use – including finding her life partner Brian.”
Mr Sutherland added: “SSAFA got the very best from Frances. She was a powerhouse in the small Caithness branch for well over 20 years, its chair for much of that time, and was still ‘in harness’ when she died.
“Had she lived, she would have been due her 25-year badge next year.
“The tales of her energy and compassion in support of SSAFA clients are legion. Frances Purves will be sorely missed by her SSAFA teammates and by the wider community of Caithness.
“Her SSAFA colleagues offer their sincere condolences to Frances’ children Duncan and Mandy, and to Brian.”