Parents sorrow at ‘waste of life’
THE DEATH of an inspirational island vet has been described as ‘a terrible waste of a young life’ by her mum, after she was tragically killed in a road traffic incident on the Isle of Mull.
Theresa Wade, 29, from Mull, has been called caring, honest and kind by more than 700 people commenting on her death on social media.
Theresa was killed last Wednesday when her van was involved in an incident with another vehicle on the road between Fishnish and Craignure as she was making her way home after a day of work.
Moments before her death, she had been discussing plans for a Christmas staff dinner, and those who saw her last week said just how happy she looked.
Mum and dad, Mary and Trevor Wade, who for many years ran the Bayview grocery store in the village of Bunessan and now live in Oban, said they were devastated by their loss. Mary said: ‘ When we visited the crash site on Monday, a CD cover from one of Theresa’s bands was left behind with the words ‘It’ll be fine.’ A message that Mary believes is for her.
Mary said: ‘Theresa was very practical and organised from a young age. At the crash site one of the bouquets of flowers has a message on it; it says ‘Don’t worry Theresa, we will make sure everything is fine’.’
Theresa’s parents said that the inspirational young woman was always interested in animals, owning horses, cats as well as a hamster. She learned to ride after one of the islanders took her under her tutelage, eventually, as a teenager, getting her own Highland pony, Skerry.
Mary and Trevor say she was an excellent singer who sang in the school choir, before she became too shy, and was a fine violinist – a talent she continued into adulthood.
Mary continued: ‘She really enjoyed ceilidh music and dancing.’
Mary laughed: ‘For her small height [ just over five feet] she was strong and was able to throw anyone across the floor in a Strip the Willow.’
That strength was also vital to the work that Theresa did with both commercial and domestic animals. Many of the tributes paid to the young woman are about her humane, kind and caring treatment of all animals.
Taking on veterinary work experience from an early age, Theresa worked on farms and crofts, as well as a spell at Oban Wildlife Park where she was able to work with more exotic breeds, such as monkeys and snakes.
From the age of 12, Theresa lived in Oban Glencruitten Hostel before moving into halls at university – but she never missed a trip back home to Mull, which she did every weekend.
Mary said: ‘Theresa loved Mull, it was her ambition to become the vet there and we were delighted when last July she took over the veterinary practice on the island.’
Mary continued: ‘From going to high school in Oban [where she was the dux], Theresa knew she wanted to be a vet.
‘At Glasgow University she studied very hard and excelled at what she did.’
Before relocating her practice to Mull last year, Theresa had a job in Fort William which allowed her to work across the north of Scotland and at the same time return home to her parents in Oban and to Mull most weekends.
Last July she took over the Mull practice and had set about continuing to improve and expand the business. In the last few weeks she had purchased a cow pregnancy scanner.
Trevor said he was taking time to remember all the fun he had with his eldest daughter.
He said: ‘Some years ago we went on a hiking holiday together – in spite of having incredibly sore feet and having received medical treatment for them, she was determined to finish the walk.
‘That was my girl – strong and determined. She would be very angry this has happened to her.’
Theresa’s partner for more than 10 years, Charles Pease, who lived with Theresa at the Kinloch Hotel in Pennyghael, Mull, said: ‘The captain of the ship has gone ashore – but the journey is not over, we will be together again.
‘She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people who have spoken or written to me.’
The family praised the police and emergency services and the staff at the vets on Mull for their support at such a difficult time.
Theresa is survived by two sisters – Rosie and Louise, who are both nurses, and a niece Sophie.