Mary Anderson (nee Nolan) – 28 May 1936 to 10 February 2026

Mary passed away peacefully in the early hours of 10 February, with all her children, and her dog Milly, close at hand. She enjoyed a rich and eventful life over almost 90 years.

Born in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary in May 1936 to Bridget and Michael Nolan, the second of six Nolan siblings: her elder brother Dick, and then Frank, Jean, Helen and Betty. When Mary left school, her family moved to Sheffield, and there she trained as a nurse before specialising in midwifery.

Hungry to see more of the world, Mary enrolled in the Royal Army Nursing Corps, becoming Lieutenant Nolan, and moved to what was then West Germany. Stationed in Munster and Rinteln.

It was there that she met the love of her life, John Anderson. They married in Sheffield in 1962, and honeymooned in Scotland, touring around in their beloved black VW Beetle that they had acquired from the factory in Germany. In 1964, the first of four children arrived, Ian, to be followed by Douglas, Catriona and Clara.

Mary supported John in pursuing his medical career in pathology, with several house moves between Glasgow and London, before moving to Edinburgh in 1970 and onto Strathkinness in North East Fife in 1975. Mary became a community midwife, based at the then Craigtoun Hospital. She drove around the lanes of Fife in her baby blue Citroen Diane, helping many mothers to give birth in their own homes.

The 1980s saw Mary and John moving to Longcroft in the east end of Dundee, shortening his commute to Ninewells. Mary took up a position as a GP practice nurse at Coldside Medical Centre. They both joined the local golf club, Panmure, at Barry, and spent many happy hours on the links and in the club house. Mary was also an enthusiastic bridge player.

As the millennium turned, the first grandchild arrived. And like London buses, five more followed in quick succession. Three boys and three girls: Ben and Rose, Gregor and Catherine, and Ewen and Grace.

In 2017, Mary and John packed their things one final time, moving home to Cupar, a short distance from Clara, and her partner Spike. John was displaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, with Mary moving into the role of being his primary carer. Five years on from John’s death, whilst Mary’s physical health declined, she remained ferociously independent, expressing a strong desire to stay in her own home. The amazing support of Clara, her partner Spike and the local medical practitioners in Cupar made Mary’s wish possible.

Throughout her colourful life, Mary was a enthusiastic party host and goer. She will be long remembered for her heartwarming impromptu speeches at family dos. That bon viveur spirit endured to the very end. And her grounded, can-do mentality lives on in the next generation. As does that desire to have the last word. Mary will be much missed by her children, grandchildren and all who knew her.

Mary’s children invite you to celebrate her life at 12 noon on Monday 23 February at Rufflets Hotel, St. Andrews, with an internment at the adjacent cemetery, and then a reception back to the hotel. Please don't send flowers, but donations to Alzheimer’s Research would be much appreciated.