Passing of former chief executive of Badenoch and Strathspey District Council
Kingussie Camanachd Club held a minute’s silence at both its Saturday games in tribute to superfan Jo Fraser.
The former chief executive of Badenoch and Strathspey District Council died at Lynemore Care Home in Grantown last Thursday (May 25) aged 87.
She retired from the post at the re-organisation of local government in 1996.
She also served previous to this time as town councillor for Kingussie, being elected in 1968.
Mrs Fraser became a loyal supporter of the club during the 1970s when her sons, Torquil and Rory, both became prolific shinty players.
Her interest in the fortunes of the club never wavered and along with her late husband Morton, she travelled all over the Highlands and beyond to support Kingussie teams of all ages.
In more recent years, they also followed two of their grandsons, Somhairle and Cluanie, as they turned out for Kingussie. They also enjoyed supporting two of their granddaughters playing for the Badenoch Ladies Club, Roma and Grace.
“The number of shinty matches that Jo and Morton watched cannot be overstated,” said club historian John Robertson.
“Regulars at home matches, they would also turn up at games, from Tighnabruaich to Portree, to support their teams.
“Whether it was a primary school match or the first team, no journey was too far.”
One of the highlights of their life as shinty supporters came when their son Rory captained a grand-slam Kingussie first team to a Camanachd Cup victory on the Dell in 1999.
Mrs Fraser’s all round club support was remembered this week.
“Jo was extremely encouraging towards the Kingussie committee when they were successful in building the shinty clubhouse at the Market Stance in 1996.”
In recent years, ill health kept her away from matches at the Dell but she kept a keen eye on club fortunes with a particular interest in the various arrangements for last year’s Camanachd Cup Final in the town.
Mrs Fraser was quietly and effectively supportive of a wide range of community groups.
In accordance with her wishes, her body has been bequeathed to medical research at Dundee University and there will be no funeral service at this time.
