Aviemore's Rose will be remembered this weekend
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A popular fun-loving railway station clerk who passed away at the start of the year is to be remembered with a celebration in Aviemore this weekend.
Helen Rose died aged 62 on January 2, earlier this year, having bravely fought a brain tumour for three years.
Ms Rose, of Mullingarroch Mill, Boat of Garten, will be remembered at the informal gathering at the new-look village green – just over the road from the railway station where she worked for many years.
The Covid pandemic meant that numbers were restricted to just 20 folk at her funeral service in St Andrew's Church on January 9.
Her niece Laura Cook told the Strathy that they wanted to have an event so that people can give Ms Rose in a style she would have appreciated – with plenty of fun, good company and music.
The celebration in memory of Helen, who was born and raised in Aviemore, will take place this Saturday (September 4) from 2pm to 8pm.
All friends are welcome to attend and people are being asked to pack a picnic and some refreshments and perhaps a seat if required.
Laura said: "We’ve organised a band to play from 2pm to 4pm and then just some DJ music for the remainder of the day. We’re hopeful the weather will be kind.
"It’s a very informal and straightforward event but just a great opportunity for everyone to come together.
Ms Rose had many friends in the railway community from more than 40 years of dedicated service at Inverness railway station and later in her home village.
Ms Cook said: "Arranging her funeral was very difficult for us as we were so restricted with Covid and being in the midst of the second lockdown.
"Many family members and friends were unable to attend due to the restrictions.
"We were also incredibly limited in numbers and trying to choose 20 people was so difficult.
"The weather was awful that day too, however, the streets of Aviemore were lined with people out to pay their respects - it was very humbling and as a family we were so moved and grateful.
"Jamie Rodger conducted the funeral service and led the cortège through the village as far as Dalfaber.
"It was shortly after this, when speaking to people who knew her, we agreed we had to celebrate Helen's life in a more fitting way when restrictions would allow.
"We had no idea where we would be later in the year in terms of Covid, so felt that an outdoor celebration would be the most appropriate and the most unlikely to be affected by further restrictions – as well as being a safer environment for all."
Ms Cook said Aviemore Community Council had been very helpful and made organising this event seamless.
She continued; "We want to keep this memorial day very straightforward. It just being an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate Helen and the most lived life despite being taken from us too soon.
"Auntie Helen has been described by many as a local legend. When we read the responses that came following a wonderful post on the Aviemore in Pictures Facebook page, it was so comforting for us as a family.
"We could see how well liked she was in the village and had clearly captured the hearts of many.
"She was actually everyone’s Auntie Helen – you only had to meet her once and that’s how you would know her. She was kind, helpful, had a wicked sense of humour and loved any opportunity to 'parteee' in her words – often partying a little too hard, shall we say.
"She definitely loved a gin or 10! She loved her family - her sister, nephew, nieces and great nieces and we have fond memories when growing up and our many trips away with her."
"We as her family – her sister (Frances Smith, Aviemore), nephew (Darren Smith, Falkirk), niece (Shannon Gale, Aviemore) and myself – miss her terribly. She is a huge loss to our family.
"Arranging a day to celebrate her life has been a great comfort and we hope to see many people come along to celebrate also."
