Memorial Services for the late Chief John
London: Malcolm Macleod wrote that “Ulrika, Mrs MacLeod of MacLeod, arranged a most moving memorial service in celebration of John’s life on Sat 14th April in the Swedish Church, London, in which they had been married three years previously.
The organ prelude was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which was followed by the Bidding by the Very Reverend Lennart Sjöström, Dean of the Swedish Church, and the hymn The Lord’s my shepherd.
The bible reading was then followed by music, addresses, tributes and readings that would have given John a great deal of pleasure: Schubert’s Allegretto in C Minor, Impromptu in F minor played by Willem Brons, piano; a magical and heartfelt address by Ulrika; Im Abendrot D.799 (Carl Gottlieb Lappe) sung beautifully by Stephan and accompanied by Willem Brons; a tribute by Charles Ian Wolridge Gordon; Mit Fried und Freud (Martin Luther) a capella without accompaniment; and the poem Farewell my Friends read by Elena.
Prayers were followed by the hymn Thine be the Glory; the Blessing; a Swedish hymn Härlig är jorden (Beautiful Saviour); and the organ Prelude and Fugue in G minor by JS Bach.
There was a reception in the Swedish Hall afterwards, which was an opportunity to meet the family and friends who had attended.”
Dunvegan: Malcolm Macleod wrote Saturday, 16th June 2007, “dawned bright and clear with just a hint of rain that never fell and patches of sunny sky that lit up the Tables and teased the eye with changing shadows.
Saturday was just right for the Memorial Service in the Parish Church and afterwards at St Mary’s, Kilmuir for the blessing of the Headstone. The Rev Rory MacLeod (Glendale) conducted the service beginning with The Bidding during which he set the scene for this celebration of the late Chief John’s life and explained the underlying theme of the reading from St Paul that was to follow. We sang the Hymn Thine Be the Glory then Chief Hugh spoke movingly about his father and thanked everyone for being there. Stephan sang the Lutheran Chorale So Wandelt Froh auf Gottes Weggen, and then I read from I Corinthians Chapter 13. We next sang the Hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less and Charles Iain Wolridge Gordon gave the Address, praising John’s achievements, acknowledging the difficulties he had faced and recounting some amusing anecdotes. The final Hymn was Make Me a Channel of Your Peace and the service ended with some concluding remarks and the Benediction by Rory.
Afterwards Ewan MacCrimmon piped us to the church at Kilmuir where Rory led us in a short service. Hugh, Stephan and Elena unveiled the headstone which was blessed by Rory and we all paid our respects to the late Chief. Ulrika placed flowers at the headstone and Ethan, Elena’s son, laid a thistle that he had picked on the way to the church saying:
“Granddad’s in there”. A poignant end to a moving ceremony.
We gathered again in the Castle for a reception in the evening, which was an opportunity to reminisce, renew acquaintances and talk about things to come.
Hugh, Stephan and Elena and their families were all there together with Ulrika, Rosemary Wolridge Gordon, Charles Iain and Caroline. A number of friends, villagers and estate staff attended and the Clan was reasonably well represented. Malcolm Macleod was there for Chief Torquil Donald and, as President of ACMS; and Chief John of Raasay was there with his wife Liz. Leonard (President of CMS RSA) was there with his older brother John from CMS England; Bill (President of CMS USA) came over as did Doug (aged 87, the founding secretary of CMS USA, with his youngest son and daughter-in-law and four grandchildren). Rory, (Vice-President of CMS Scotland), and Charlotte; Donald and Rosemary (Glendale); Rory (Glendale) and Annice; Dorna Caskie (Secretary of ACMS); Clare Moncrieff (CMSs Canada, England and USA); Jim Hunter; Coll Findlay (President, Glasgow Highland Club) with David and Kate Doyle (immediate past President); attended amongst many.”
Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod.