!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS --
THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section III, "MacLeod Cadet Families",
Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, 1970, p. 54. Was educated at St.
Leonard''s School, St. Andrews and Somerville College, Oxford. M.A.
(Oxon.).
!OBITUARY: THE CLAN MACLEOD MAGAZINE, No. 83, October 1996, pp.
290-291.
Susan Davidson Kelly who died in October 1995, was the younger
daughter of Rex Wilsher, farmer, enthusiastic horseman and English
Rugby Cap from Bedford and his wife, Betty, school teacher, genealogist
and author. Susan followed her elder sister, Penny, to Somerville
College, oxford where they studied Chemistry, although Susan changed to
graduate in Politics, Philosophy and Economics which was a requirement
for her chosen career in Social Welfare. At Oxford, Susan''s Presbyterian
background encouraged her to form a strong link with the Iona Society
there.
She was born at Barnard Castle, Durham (the town rather than the
actual fort). Her arrival was possibly the grande finale, a rainbow, to
the same tempestuous snow-storm which had commenced with the birth
of her future husband one hundred miles due North in Edinburgh. (''La ville
de glacons''!)
Brought up as a farmer''s daughter in Bedford and East Anglia, Susan
enjoyed team games and horse riding. At St. Leonard''s School in St.
Andrews, she was able to continue and refine her natural abilities in a
variety of sports; fives, hockey, squash, horse riding and also develop a
deep affinity with Scottish culture.
Married to fellow student at Oxford, History teacher, Housemaster and
Deputy Rector, John Davidson Kelly, son of Neville and Molly, on 18th
April 1964, they took on the role of joint secretaries of the London
Branch from Kenneth and Toni MacLeod in 1971 enabling Kenneth to
''retire'' to Harlosh in Skye. John and Susan helped Kenneth and Toni
organise their first two Parliaments, initiating the Marquee, before
taking over in 1978 to run four by themselves - with the assistance of a
well marshalled army of willing helpers during which time attendance
grew from 200 to 300 delegates. This put an increasing strain on
available resources and accommodation, although few delegates would
notice.
On their return to Scotland in 1985, Susan was able to return to Social
Work where her work was greatly appreciated. Her wonderfully well
attended funeral service in Glasgow bore witness to the wide scope of
her work on behalf of others about which we in the Clan Society knew
very little. The understanding and the confidence which enabled her to
tackle the variety of major tasks throughout her life has been hugely
beneficial to Clan MacLeod and a delight and encouragement to us all.
Susan Davidson Kelly is survived by her husband John and their two
daughters Kirsteen and Sally.