Isobel Wilkie (15 Apr 1927 - 25 Apr 2019)

In loving memory of Isobel Wilkie who sadly passed away on 25th April 2019.
Beloved wife of the late David,
Dearly loved mother of Deborah, Nigel, Fergus and Edwin,
Cherished Grandma to her seven grandchildren.
A special lady who is so greatly missed
xx

Ministerial Tribute

Isobel Wilkie passed away peacefully at Ferryfield House on Thursday the 25th of April 2019 at the age of 92.
Isobel was born in the Scottish village of Invergowrie on the 15th of April 1927 to her loving parents, Forbes and Bella Gow, and she was preceded in birth by her brother Forbes.

Her father was a hardworking baker while her mother stayed at home with the children, diligently committed to their upbringing.

The family lived in Perth, where Isobel grew up, enjoying the pleasures of a typical childhood with a large wider family. Isobel described herself as religious from an early age. She attended school until her early teenage years, and then she pursued further education at night school.

One of her fonder adolescent memories was cycling all around the Isle of Skye, where surely a deeper appreciation for nature and all its beauty began to blossom—Isobel would indeed grow to become a woman who enjoyed nature and gardening. This was also reflected in the multitude of animal figurines that she never stopped collecting.

In her early twenties, Isobel moved south to London, where she worked in the Australia & New Zealand Bank. Shortly thereafter, while boarding a train from Edinburgh to London, she met a young man named David Wilkie. Being a proper gentleman, he offered to carry her luggage, and she offered to share her sandwich.

They spent the journey together and a friendship began, which ripened into love, and the two were married in Isobel’s hometown of Perth in the West Church on the 22nd of December, 1952.

They made their first home together in London, where Isobel continued her work at the bank, and David attended Imperial College to complete his PhD dissertation — which Isobel completely typed up. Even in their early years of marriage, it was clear that they made an extraordinary team.

In those heady days as newlyweds, they toured Europe by motorcycle with Isobel riding on the back as a pillion passenger. They visited Franco’s relatively isolated Spain where onlookers gathered round to admire a beautiful British classic – which David understood to be his motorcycle!

In 1956, the couple moved to village of Seascale in Cumbria, where David was hired at the Windscale Nuclear Laboratories. This is where they would stay until 1990 and raise their family.

In many ways, this small seaside village was idyllic. The attractions of their location paired with a friendly and vibrant community provided the rich soil for Isobel and David’s growing family.

Within their first ten years at Seascale, Isobel gave birth to four delightful children: Deborah, Nigel, Fergus, and Edwin.

Isobel was a dedicated stay-at-home mother and wife and was also quite involved in the local Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for a time. She was an active member of the Women’s Institute and participated in the life of the village in various ways, attending coffee mornings, providing home-baking for community events, playing tennis, and enjoying Rosehill Theatre, a local cultural oasis.

At dinner parties hosted by her and David, the dessert trolleys she created were legendary. The children would be poised at the top of the stairs to swoop down the minute guests had moved to the drawing room, to feast on the amazing array of delights.

Isobel, David, and the children often spent their holidays traveling around Scotland. The children have fond memories of everyone piling into the Rover, as their dad drove from castle to castle, exploring many historic Scottish sights.
While the boys were still living at home, Isobel’s mother came to live with the family in Seascale, reinforcing the close family ties the Wilkies shared.

Having first given up her career to dedicate herself to her family, and always prepared to apply her time and energy, Isobel went back to work as a Ward Clerk at a local hospital during her youngest son’s final few years at home. She romped through the interview and went on to earn the respect of all her colleagues with her tireless application.

In 1987, Isobel and David welcomed to the world their first grandchildren. Deborah and her husband had given birth to twins. This was a joyous occasion, met with Isobel’s enthusiasm to go stay with Deborah in Manchester for the first 18 months. Fortunately, some very kind neighbors brought over meals to David – who remained at home and whose culinary skills rarely produced more than beans on toast!

This is of course just one of the many examples of Isobel’s loving devotion to her family. Over the years, she would continue to play a key role in the lives of her children and their families, including seven grandchildren.

Isobel and David moved to Edinburgh in October of 1990, where they made themselves at home at Randolph Place and were active members of the community.

Soon after the move, they joined Palmerston Place Church, where they were regular attenders. Both were members of the Saltire Society and even received a Lifetime Membership Award for their involvement.

Some of Isobel’s other interests included volunteering with the Bethany Christian Trust, attending theatrical productions, and visiting art galleries. Isobel and David were also keen antique collectors, spending many hours finding beautiful objects to adorn their home. They were in their element at auction houses, sniffing out a bargain.

Above all, Isobel and David loved spending time with family. Christmas celebrations were a priority over the years, initially in Perth and Seascale, and later in Edinburgh, Manchester, and even France. It was Isobel’s wish to make each family gathering a special time together.

In 2013, Dr David Wilkie took ill and passed away on the 10th of August at the age of 85, but not before the devoted couple were able to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary together with a week-long family event in West Linton the previous year.

Isobel was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease just a few months before David’s death; however, the couple was able to spend their final years happily together before her condition would fully develop.

As Isobel required increasingly more support, Deborah moved in with her at Randolph Place and shortly thereafter they moved to a flat in another part of the New Town area of Edinburgh. All of Isobel’s children provided love and support in her older age, and she was often surrounded by family.

Decreased mobility would not keep Isobel from celebrating her 90th Birthday with an exciting outing planned by the family. The Caledonian Hotel was the perfect venue for such a milestone event, but even more festive was the Piper piping Isobel into her birthday celebration.

Sadly, following two simultaneous strokes, Isobel was admitted to hospital on the 13th of April 2018. Despite efforts to get her back home, she had various complications and her health gradually declined throughout the year.
Finally, she moved into Ferryfield House in February of this year, and on the 25th of April, 2019, Isobel Wilkie passed away.

She was surrounded by all four of her children, and in the final week of her life, she was even able to video chat with the grandchildren, as well. She is survived by Deborah and her husband Zahid with their children Yasmin, Ishbel, and Caspar; Nigel and his wife Pamela, with their children Adam, Alexa, and Arielle; Fergus and his son Vadim; and Edwin and his wife Suzanne. Isobel also cherished the relationships she shared with all of her living relatives, many of whom are here today.

All of her life, Isobel demonstrated what it means to truly love, and she knew the love of her family and friends. She was a lovely Christian lady, a devoted wife, mother, and grandma, and the world is certainly a better place for having in it, Isobel Wilkie.