Artist, teacher and activist; Born November 18, 1920; Died October 12, 2008.
May Veitch, who has died aged 87 after a battle with Parkinson's disease, was a teacher, keen artist, Gaelic singer, community council activist and, above all, a devoted mother and grandmother.
She was born in Glasgow of parents from Scalpay and the Kyle of Lochalsh. May and her sister (Ina Duncan) and brother (Angus MacSween) grew up in Glasgow's west end as part of a Glasgow's Highland community.
In her youth, she, along with her sister and friends, spent many happy weekends walking along the country roads around Milngavie and as far as Blanefield. Later, when they acquired bicycles, they went further afield to places such as Aberfoyle, Balmaha and Balloch and occasionally to Gourock on the south of the Clyde. Cycling holidays staying at youth hostels were another source of pleasure.
Her interests included art, music and politics. These were lifelong interests and she especially enjoyed painting. She was involved with the Independent Labour Party and subsequently the Labour Party, and assisted in the election campaigns of many prominent political figures. Never forgetting her Highland roots, she was involved in the Glasgow Gaelic Choir, singing both at the Mod and socially.
After retiring from a fulfilling teaching career (which included teaching children with special needs and being one of the first female coaches of a school football team), Veitch pursued her love of art and started an art group with some like-minded west end friends, known as "the Byre Group" after her beloved Byres Road.
Latterly, she lived at David Cargill House, residential home, where she very much enjoyed taking part in many activities and forming friendships. Some of her paintings still hang on the walls there. May was visited by many friends during her time there and was well known by the staff, who all looked after her with great care and affection.
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