Catherine Graham, Duchess of Montrose (née Catherine Elizabeth McDonnell Young) (5 September 1935 – 29 October 2014), was the wife of James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose.[1] She became well known for her philanthropy.[2]
The Duchess of Montrose | |
|---|---|
| Born | Catherine Elizabeth McDonnell Young 5 September 1935 |
| Died | 29 October 2014 (aged 79) |
| Education | Balmoral Hall School |
| Alma mater | University of Manitoba Queen's University |
| Spouse(s) |
(m. 1970; "her death" is deprecated; use "died" instead. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Norman Andrew Thomson Young Mary Moody |
Early life
She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, the daughter of Norman Andrew Thomson Young and his wife Mary (née Moody) of Cornish origin.[2] Her father was the first headmaster of the prestigious Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg. He was also an officer in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and was killed on active service in France in 1942.[2]
Catherine attended Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg. She obtained her further education at the University of Manitoba and Queen’s University in Kington
Personal life
On 31 January 1970, she was married to the then Marquess of Graham.[3] She immediately became Marchioness of Graham, and in 1992, when her husband inherited his father's title, she became Duchess of Montrose. Together, they had three children:
- Lady Hermione Elizabeth Graham (b. 1971), who married Christopher John Thornhill.
- James Alexander Norman Graham, Marquess of Graham (b. 1973), who married Cecilia Manfredi.
- Lord Ronald John Christopher Graham (b. 1975), who married Florence Mary Arbuthnott.
Following their marriage, the couple moved permanently to Scotland, where they lived at Auchmar House near Loch Lomond (the ancestral seat Buchanan Castle in Drymen having become dilapidated years earlier).[4] The duchess died, aged 79, at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland.
Philanthropy
After the establishment of the Preshal Trust, a charity based in Govan, the duchess became one of its leading supporters.[2] "In her latter years, the Duchess supported countless charities and causes" including the "Red Cross, the Christmas carol concert on behalf of Cancer Research UK at Glasgow Cathedral, the Scotland's Gardens scheme to open gardens to the public, and the annual Women of Scotland Lunch to celebrate the achievements of Scottish women."[2]
References
- ^ Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003.
- ^ a b c d e Davison, Phil (6 November 2014). "Obituary: Catherine Graham, Duchess of Montrose". The Scotsman. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
Born: 25 September, 1935, in Winnipeg, Canada. Died: 29 October, 1914, in Larbert, aged 79
- ^ "The Telegraph Death Announcements".
- ^ "Catherine Graham". Sunday Herald. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2018.