Curling, in particular, Moray Province Curling has lost one of its greatest champions with the passing of Sandra MacIver earlier this month.
Sandra leaves a tremendous legacy and will be very greatly missed by her family and many many friends both in and beyond curling.
Sandra was born into a farming family, educated at Kinloss, Beacon Bridge of Alan, Forres Academy, and then went to Tulliallan Police College, graduating in 1975.
She served as a Police Officer in Bucksburn, Stonehaven, Elgin, Buckie and Forres before retiring from the force. Sandra then worked in the Procurator Fiscal’s office in Inverness as a Victim Support liaison officer, then finally in the “Falconer Museum” Forres, although continued seasonally as a tour guide for ships visiting Invergordon.
For many years she was a member of the Young Farmers Association, and later was involved in many Forres activities including the 6 year run of the “European Pipe Band Championships”, the Sound and Lights “Colours of Cluny”, she was an active member of Forres Heritage Trust which was established to preserve the Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower.
In recognition of her involvement in Forres, she was made a Burgess of the town, an honour of which she was extremely proud.
Sandra was an accomplished skier, golfer and a member and past President of Forres Curling Club. She was elected in 2018 to represent Area 13 at the Royal Club as President of Northern County Lady Curlers and of course a passionate participant and administrator in curling, as a member of the Coaching and Development Group she leaves a legacy as lead coach coaching Juniors, The Gateway Club and Wheelchair Curling and also was the inspiration and enthusiastic leader of “Curling’s Cool”, introducing hundreds of school children to the game. She had certification as a level 1 Coach, Wheelchair Curling, Stick Curling, Time Keeping, and had started her umpiring qualifications.
Sandra was such a big character and all of us in the curling fraternity will remember her very fondly, often with a personal memory. One Moray curler had a special chuckle when in conversation, Sandra announced to him with typically candid self-awareness, “I work best in a team of 1”. She was, however, a lady who was able to enlist and involve many of us and a lady who simply “got things done”.
Alves Church was packed to overflowing at her very moving funeral service and we send our condolences to her brother Cameron, nieces and nephews and many friends.