Lady Marion Fraser, who died on Christmas Day, was without doubt one of the most outstanding Scottish women of her day. When the editor asked me to write a short obituary, I was at first tempted to devote the major part to recording the many honours heaped upon her, including Her Majesty’s invitation to serve as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly, and to become the first nonroyal lady to be made a Companion of the Thistle. I have however resisted that temptation. More important than any of these well deserved honours, was the friendly, gracious and inspiring person Marion Fraser was, the loving and devoted wife and mother.
Marion and I first met in the playground of Giffnock Primary in the early 1940s. Fifty years later, on being nominated Moderator, I was thrilled to learn that Marion was to be Lord High Commissioner. I cannot think of any other Moderator and Lord High Commissioner who knew each other from childhood. On the opening day of the Assembly, my fear was that instead of referring to the Lord High as “Your Grace”, I would call her Marion. Her greatest fear was that instead of calling me Moderator, she would call me Jim.