St Andrews Preservation Trust figure Elma Penny

The chairman of the St Andrews Preservation Trust, Bill Borthwick, has paid tribute to Elma Penny, who died earlier this month.

Mrs Penny was a greatly valued chairman of the trust from 2008 to 2010 and her death came tragically soon – barely six weeks – after that of her husband, Duncan, who was also an enthusiastic supporter of the trust and whom she had cared for selflessly during his last years of illness.

Mrs Penny was a native of Glasgow, educated at Glasgow University and a former principal teacher of mathematics at Laurel Bank School.

She moved to St Andrews with Duncan in 2002 after he retired as rector of Vale of Leven Academy.

They had previously visited frequently when their younger son was a student.

Mrs Penny had two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

A member of St Rule golf club, she also attended the Forty Club, took part in Scottish country dancing, attended University Open Association lectures and became an elder of St Leonard’s Church.

Prior to becoming chairman of the preservation trust Mrs Penny was convener of its programme and membership committee.

During her chairmanship the Trust Museum was granted accreditation by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Association.

In 2009 the museum was awarded a gold medal for the museum garden in Fife Council’s annual gardens competition. Furthermore the trust launched the successful Boase Wood Appeal which funds professional management of the Trust’s Lade Braes woodland to this day.