Lady Patricia Cunninghame Graham

The bride came from a well-known military family whose home was in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, and which had produced men and women who distinguish themselves in the realms of public service. She was therefore brought up to appreciate the value of loyalty and of voluntary work, two virtues that she was to practise all her life, for as long as her health would allow.

After her wedding, Patricia travelled with her husband whenever it was possible for her to be with him. Angus became a captain in 1935, and she and her daughter Jean went to join him in 1936 during the Sino-Japanese war. They were bombed by the Japanese and the women and children had to be sent home.

Angus stayed on as senior naval officer, West River, China, and was there from 1936-1938. Meanwhile, he had been left Ardoch, a family house at Cardross, by an uncle in 1935, and it was to Scotland that Patricia took Jean and her brother Robert for school holidays when her husband was at sea, or abroad.

I knew her first as a charming and friendly mother of Jean and Robert who, sadly, was to die before his mother. She made everyone, young and old, feel at home, wherever she was. She loved children.

During the war she undertook war work such as driving the WVS canteen van through lonely glens on unsurfaced roads to visit gun emplacements and army camps and to dispense cups of steaming tea and cheering chat to the men.

She had always been keen on the Girl Guides, having been one herself, and also became involved with the RNLI - she was our local presdident for many years. She also worked for SSAFA, and was a great supporter of her church in Cardross.

Patricia conducted everything she did, from a children's party to a charity meeting with a

kind of easy dignity. Everyone immediately felt happy in

her company.

She was an enthusiastic gardener, and always free with gifts of roots and cuttings when one visited her. When I see nerines I always think of Patricia. She had lovely specimens outside her drawing-room window.

She was a good needle-woman, and restored the tapestries on the dining-room chairs herself. She painted well, and was a talented musician, playing a piano concerto in London with a full orchestra at the age of 15.

In 1941-43 the family was based at the RN Barracks, Chatham. They were bombed here, and also at their home in Cardross.

In 1947-50 Angus, now a vice-admiral, moved to Rosyth as admiral superintendent of HM Dockyard, and his final posting was again to Rosyth, this time as flag officer Scotland.

Patricia then became the hostess for her husband's many official guests at Admiralty House, looking after and entertaining people from all over the world.

They retired home to Ardoch in 1951 - retired from the Navy, that is - as they both continued with their voluntary work in many directions.

Angus was made Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire in 1955, and Patricia was always by his side, supporting him in his various duties.

As the years wore on, and she lost her beloved husband, she continued to live alone at Ardoch. Here she suffered two break-ins, during one of which the men threatened her with an axe and demanded the keys of the safe, at the same time pulling the rings from her fingers. With great presence of mind she moved towards the bell by the fireplace and pressed it. The men, unaware that the house was empty, fled.

It was after this that she decided to move to a cottage near Jean in the Borders.

For the last years of her life Patricia lived in a comfortable nursing home nearby, where the family and friends could visit and telphone her. She was able, last year, to go and stay with Jean and her husband in Devon for a family celebration.

She was the kind of person who made the very best of everything in her life, which was full and complete, with plenty of adventure, good friends, and a loving family, which she richly deserved.