THE DEATH occurred recently of the The Rt Hon Hilda, Lady Tayside (93).

Born Hilda Harris at Birkhill on June 26, 1914, she was the second daughter of John and Fanny Harris. John Harris was an industrial engineer in the jute industry, who spent a large amount of time in India. Her sister Cora (96) survives her.

Their mother came from a family of 13, so they had many relatives throughout the world.

Hilda did well at Dundee High School, and then, in a move quite rare for young women at that time, went on to university (St Andrews-Queens College, Dundee) gaining a Batchelor of Science degree, majoring in zoology, with first class honours in 1936.

On graduating, she went on to teacher training and taught science in Galashiels.

She met her future husband, David Urquhart, on Forfar golf course and they were engaged in 1937 before marrying in St Enoch’s Church, Dundee, on Boxing Day, 1939.

The couple moved to England during the war, and endured the bombings in London and Liverpool, before returning to the Tayside to live in Lynwood Place, Dundee.

In 1950 they moved to Forfar following David’s appointment as company secretary at textile firm Don Bothers, Buist & Company Ltd.

They made their home at The Manor, in Manor Street.

During the 1950s and 60s Mrs Urquhart was very supportive of her husband in his career and in his public service.

Mr Urquhart was appointed a director of Don Brothers and became chairman and joint managing director. He was elected to Forfar Town Council, becoming provost in 1956.

He received an OBE in 1966 and, in 1967, was created a life peer, taking the title of Baron Tayside of Queens Well.

Hilda, as Mrs Urquhart, and then Lady Tayside, also developed her own way in public life very successfully, serving on various charitable bodies.

She was a committee member of the Forfar and District branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association from 1962 and chairman from 1965 to 1968.

But Inner Wheel was her main interest. She joined Forfar Inner Wheel Club shortly after it was founded, and continued her membership for over 55 years right up to her death. She served as secretary from 1957, then became president in 1963.

She was appointed chairman of Inner Wheel District 1, (covering the north of Scotland) in 1965-66 and treasurer from 1972-75.

Lady Tayside enjoyed serving with the organisation’s national association. She was a member of council from 1969 to 1972, a member of the constitution committee in 1971-72 and the finance committee from 1975 to 1977, becoming association treasurer, from 1978 to 1981.

She attended rallies and conventions in the UK and abroad but it was the lasting friendships formed throughout the organisation, and particularly the Forfar club, which she treasured most.

She maintained a fierce independence right until the end of last year, living in a home designed to her specification in Turfbeg Place, Forfar since 1981.

She then moved into Tigh-na-Muirn Residential Care Home in Monifeith in February.

Lady Tayside is survived by two sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“For the things she achieved, her service to good causes, her support and love for her husband and family, her keen memory and clear mind right to the end, and, above all, for her zest for life, her family and her friends will remember her,” eldest son Bill said.