The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Family and friends pay respects to health chief
Tributes: Woman killed in crash
There was a blend of love, laughter and tears at the funeral for a highly respected former Highland nurse.
Mourners gathered on a packed Strathpeffer Pavilion on Saturday to pay respects to Caroline Thomson who died in a car accident a fortnight ago at the age of 63.
There were moving tributes from relatives and former colleagues of the former NHS Highland chairwoman.
Family friend Fergus Ewart also sang the classic ballad Ae Fond Kiss at the ceremony and The Parting Glass at the graveside.
The humanist ceremony was composed by Laura Gillespie, who recounted Mrs Thomson’s many important roles including those of a “wife and mother, dance partner, colleague, cook, fundraiser, confidante and friend to hundreds.”
She said: “There is a part of Caroline left with everyone here today; a memory of a conversation, a shared experience, a campaign, a problem solved together, a party, a meal, a boat trip, a hug.
“Keep Caroline alive in your memories and she will continue to remain with you in the days, months and years ahead.”
Music during the service ranged widely from Leonard Cohen and Kirsty MacColl to Erik Satie.
An extract of a favourite poem of hers, When Great Trees Fall by American civil rights campaigner Maya Angelou, was also read.
Mr s Thomson had trained as a nurse, initially working in London before moving to the Highlands in the 1970s.
She chaired the health board from 1997 to 2004 and was made an OBE in 2003 for her services to the NHS in Scotland.
She is survived by her husband Allan, two sons Alistair and Richard, and three grandchildren.