Obituary: Rev Dr Joyce Collie, 82

The Rev Dr Joyce Collie, a former Edinburgh minister and an expert in Scots who helped compile the Scottish National Dictionary, has died, aged 82.

Joyce Collie came from a Kirk family but became attracted to Congregationalism through Rev Willie Russell, Congregational minister at Woodside, Aberdeen.

She undertook a full degree at the Scottish Congregational Church in Edinburgh, and graduated in 1966, taking as her first charge Hope Park Congregational Church in Edinburgh before moving in 1973 to “the Peedie kirk”, the Congregational Church in Kirkwall.

Her natural interest in words, their uses, functions and etymologies, saw Dr Collie playing a key role from 1954 in the work of the Scottish National Dictionary project, centred at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh.

Dr Collie entered what was effectively a third career when on return to Aberdeenshire in 1980, she transferred to the Church of Scotland, becoming minister at charges in West Aberdeenshire.

Completely non-materialistic, Joyce cared deeply for animals, particularly dogs – which she bred and showed, and after retirement in 1994, became heavily involved in shows and meetings.

Her substantial literary output includes a hymn in Scots, as well as translations into her native tongue of the Gospel of St John, Chapter 1; The Lord’s Prayer; and the 23rd Psalm. In 1995, she collaborated in the trilingual poetry, Sangs in Three Tongues, with Roddy Macdonald providing the original Gaelic and English translation; and Joyce Collie and Derrick McClure the Scots versions.

Her own Scots translation of 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13, was used at her funeral in Strathdon last Monday.

Arthur and Marion Jull, a couple who met in London whilst serving with the Royal Air Force, have celebrated their diamond wedding Anniversary.

Mr Jull was born and raised in London, whilst Marion was originally from Musselburgh.

The couple met in London while both were working for the Royal Air Force.

They were married in the Willesden registry office in London on August 4, 1951.

The couple moved to Scotland in 1953 and settled in Polbeth, where they brought up their family.

They moved to their current home at Crofters Gate, East Whitburn, in 2001 and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Livingston.

Afterwards they said they had been delighted to receive so many flowers and cards – including a very special card from the Queen.

They also paid special thanks to all the friends and family who made their big day such a special one.