OBITUARY: Donna Mackenzie – Easter Ross-born paramedic was much-loved by many
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An ambulance with its lights on headed the cortège as Donna Mackenzie was taken on her final journey from her home village of Lairg to Inverness crematorium on September 28. Emergency personnel lined the street.
It was a fitting tribute to the well-known, Lairg based paramedic, who had served for 21 years and was so dedicated to her job that, even on her day off, she would volunteer for a shift if needed –even outwith her own area.
Donna, who was born in Nigg and attended Pitcalnie Primary School and Tain Royal Academy, had a number of jobs before finding her niche in 1999 with the ambulance service. She worked at the HiFab shop at Nigg in its heyday, Nigg Ferry Hotel and the bombing range at Tain.
It was a hard day for her on May 1 when she had to retire on health grounds from the ambulance job she loved so much.
A family member said: “It was a job she was so happy in and did her utmost for.”
Outside of work, Donna relaxed by making rugs and tapestries that hang proudly in the homes of various relatives. She also played the guitar.
An animal lover, she had six dogs and eight parrots and, as a result, there was never a dull moment at her Clashbreac home with the dogs barking and parrots speaking “all sorts of words – some good and some not so good”.
She also had a love and great knowledge of cars and over the years owned a large number, often changing vehicles after just six months – she was a well-known figure to car salespeople in Inverness and could have taught them about the models on sale. Her pride and joy was her most recent car, an Audi A6.
However her greatest love was for her family and friends. She was a devoted daughter to Joan and the late Donnie and a special sister to Jeanette and her husband Brian; and aunt to Stevie and Brian.
She particularly adored her young great niece and great nephew, Olivia and Daniel. Despite being in pain, she was delighted to be at a family gathering just a few months ago to celebrate Daniel’s sixth birthday.
Another important person to Donna was her great friend Julie and her family. When Donna was diagnosed with the illness that was to take her life, it was Julie who cared for her until the very sad end. She was just 55 years of age and is remembered with much love and thanksgiving by her family, friends and colleagues.
