CONGRATULATIONS
It’s a right royal honour for Kathleen
A life’s ambition was soon to be fulfilled for Miss Kathleen Robertson.
The 60-year-old Paisley woman received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in 1980 and was to get the chance to shake hands with the Queen...if she could climb down from cloud nine.
“I haven’t hit the ground yet,” said a delighted Miss Robertson.
“It’s wonderful.
“The whole thing has taken the wind out of my sails.
“It has always been an ambition of mine to shake hands with the Queen, or someone from the Royal Family.
“This is going to mean a great deal to me.”
Miss Robertson, of
Calside Court, worked as an administrative assistant at the Royal Alexandra Infirmary for 30 years until she retired in November.
She suffered from a severe arthritic condition and it was because of her unfailing dedication to her work, despite this handicap, that led to her award.
Miss Robertson was born in London but her family then moved to Kilmacolm.
She attended
Williamsburgh Primary School and spent a year as secretary at Hairmyres Hospital before moving to the RAI in 1949 as secretary to the hospital’s first medical superintendent.
Later, her job grew from secretarial work to dealing with much of the administration duties of the medical superintendent and then the Argyll & Clyde Health Board.
Miss Robertson was awarded a Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.
Although overwhelmed at receiving the MBE, she was puzzled why she was chosen.
“I don’t see that I have done anything different from anyone else in my work,” she said. “I have always regarded the RAI as my second home.
“When I retired the presentation was out of this world. That in itself was sufficient reward.”