One of Dundee’s most respected solicitors, Eileen Matthew, has died aged 58 at Roxburghe House after a short illness.
A partner in Tayside legal firm Miller Hendry for the past 15 years, Mrs Matthew specialised in conveyancing and was the head of the firm’s residential property department.
Born Eileen Copley in Lanark, she was brought up and attended school in Paisley before moving to London, attending Ealing Grammar School where she was deputy head girl.
In 1974 she enrolled at Dundee University, graduating with an honours degree in law in 1978 and training under Dundee firm Burns Veal & Co as an apprentice solicitor, before qualifying in 1980.
Her career in the legal profession centred on Dundee, working for Thorntons and Dickies, now Thorntons, as well as Blackadder Reid Johnston, now Blackadders, before taking time out in the late 1980s to start a family.
Married in 1984 to Alan Matthew, also a partner at Miller Hendry, they had two daughters, Katherine, 27, a geneticist and Eleanor, 25, a doctor.
Mrs Matthew returned to work at Burns Veal. The firm later merged with Miller Hendry and she was made a partner in 1999, concentrating on conveyancing and housing associations.
She also held the personal appointment of solicitor to the Diocese of Dunkeld and was on the board of Tayside Solicitors Property Centre.
Mrs Matthew is a past president of Junior Chamber Dundee and a senator of Junior Chamber International.
She served as a board member of Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce and was chairman of the Parish Council of St Vincent’s Church in Dundee.
Mrs Matthew was also a former secretary of Dundee City Guides Association.
In her spare time she enjoyed reading, walking, theatre, tai chi and travel.
She shared her family’s passion for sport, attending rugby internationals and Test match cricket.
She is survived by her husband and two daughters.
A spokesman for Miller Hendry said: “Everyone at Miller Hendry is deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague.”