HEATHER'S OBITUARY IN THE LOCAL PRESS.

HEATHER MOORE, JP, ARCM, LTCL (1941 - 2006)

The news of the sudden death of Heather Moore at the age of 64, while on holiday in Italy, was received with disbelief across Lochaber and elsewhere in the country, within the music community. With a great sense of humour and a huge sense of fun, Heather enjoyed banter with a wide circle of friends and colleagues of all ages.

Born in Kirkcaldy, she learned piano there and in Edinburgh where she attended Moray House College. Her first job was in teaching piano at St Leonard's private school in Edinburgh, thereafter teaching music at Graeme High School in Falkirk and Kirkcaldy High School, before coming to Lochaber.
She first joined Lochaber High School soon after coming to Fort William, but left to raise Hazel and Carol. She returned to work as a peripatetic teacher, along with her friend and respected colleague, the late Isobel Henderson. She covered the primary schools around Loch Leven and in Glen Spean. In time she prided herself on having developed the music teacher's knack of playing the piano without taking her eyes off the class for an instant! She returned to Lochaber High School as Principal Teacher of Music and became a much-respected member of staff there.

Heather led many school choirs over the years but her most effective period was in her partnership with Alasdair Grant, the Principal Gaelic Teacher at Lochaber High School when the Gaelic Choir regularly swept the boards at the National Mod.
She founded the Kilmallie Singers and led them for over 35 years, latterly in joint concerts with the Corran Singers from Lochgilphead. She worked with the Lochaber Showstoppers and conducted the Highland Hospitals' Choir at their Christmas concerts.
In Gaelic circles she conducted the Corpach Gaelic Choir and Coisir Ghàidhlig a' Ghearasdain. She was well known at local Mods around the country where she was hugely encouraging to young folk. A few years ago she became a National Mod adjudicator in which role she was greatly respected by her colleagues.

We should be grateful for the inspiration and confidence that Heather gave to so many singers and musicians, young and not so young; that, after all, will be her legacy. While Heather was an exacting musician and conductor, she was self-effacing with her talent.

In 1970, at the young age of 29, she became the first lady Justice of the Peace in Lochaber; a strong indication that she was held in very high regard. Latterly, she was Chair of the Lochaber Justices' Committee.

Heather was truly a "larger than life" character and our fond memories should similarly be larger than her death. Heather is survived by her husband Charlie, her daughters Hazel and Carol, her mother Margaret and sister Rita. As a community we extend great sympathy to all the family.

Written by John Hutchison,
July 2006.                                                        back