I'd gave anything to have a cup of tea or a wee gowdie (sp?) With her right now. Maybe someday down the road.

Louis (Mac) Chappelear

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I only knew Aunt Morag very briefly and in that short period of time both she and Fred sparkled, and at our wedding, I hoped my life with Mac would hold the same sparkles. I know she's busy catching up with things and family on the other side.

How were you able to maintain a sense of fairness and balance for all of us in the family? You had that magical gift of been able to listen to both sides of a conflict in our family, and I mean truly listen, yet manage to keep relationships with everybody no matter what the circumstances. You were truly a godmother to me, watching over me and standing up for me. You loved all of your nieces and nephews equally. You and Uncle Fred made it a point to attend confirmations, baptisms, marriages and funerals. Your house was always a welcome place to be. The smell of the scones and the orange cake always brought me into the kitchen, the best place to be. You were the most Scottish of all since so much more of your life was on the Isle of Skye and your native language was Gaelic not English like your other brother and sisters. I looked up to you as the head of our extended family. No one can ever replace you. I have missed you for long time and will miss you for long time coming but your soul remains in my heart forever. Love, Kathy

I've written you so many times, I guess this is the last. You wrote such chatty upbeat letters in your beautiful script. I always loved getting them. I still have some in a very crumply yellowed scrap book. How much I looked forward to seeing you and Uncle Fred whenever we could get together. Remember how we used to drive across the country to see you almost every summer? As we got closer to Glen Cove, I remember magical words like the Long Island Expressway and Oyster Bay. You always greeted me like I was the most special child in the world. And the food, fresh berries, minted peas, turkey divan and scones with fresh jam. And you'd ask me about school and take us to Jones Beach and to Jessie's for meringue and to play with the chickens. Remember that summer you came to California? We all took a trip up north in the station wagon and how we watered that corn field? How you left about that! You were what everyone would want in a favorite Aunt, so huggable and attentive and ever kind to us all. I have missed you for a long time and will forever. I'm glad you're with Uncle Fred now, and that he has his toots.

I love you... Betsy

Every summer we crossed the ocean by ship, and would drive directly to Auntie Morag's house, where we would stay for a week before going up to Lew Beach. Aunt Chris, Uncle Al, Aunt Morag, Uncle Fred, the Nicholsons, and Mom and Dad would sit up all night laughing, eating, telling stories, while Jamie and I sat on Auntie Morag's bed, glued to the TV-we didn't have TV at home in Switzerland. We couldn't wait to wake up because no matter how late Auntie Morag had been up the night before, she was always up early to make us pancakes for breakfast. Often, we would then pack the lunch and go to the Nicholsons to get Annie and Annette, and read all go to the Beach. Every summer we have at least one lovely dinner at the Nicholson's house; everyone would have drinks out of the garden while us kids were exploring the off limits barn.

Because she had no children of her own, Auntie Morag loved us all in a special way. Every Christmas she gave me a Scottish present to remind me of my heritage; a plaid tea cozy, a thistle tea cup, plaid socks, etc. When Shawn was born, she sent a beautiful card of the Highlands, the graduating us on the "newest wee bairn of the clan." She always reminded us of our roots and gave us a sense of family history, telling stories of the "old" days and the beauty and hardships of life in the "old country". We have missed her greatly these past years, and we can now celebrate her release from oblivion to be once again with all of our beloved family who have been waiting for her on the other side.

Donna MacInnes Glancey

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She always had a smile and a good word for everyone.

Morag was a special aunt, the only one without children, so she adopted us all unconditionally, gave us all love unselfishly, and was an open and caring person to us all. There's a lot to be said for someone like that. A whole lot. Besides, she made the best banana bread in the world. Whenever I get some from the Stop and Save across from Canegata Park in Christiansted baked by a local Cruzan woman I always think back to Morag's wonderful banana bread. The Cruzan is good. But there's never been any better than Morag's. Nor ever will.

The only person I've ever known with never a cross word, with always a smile, and with always a cheery disposition and a positive response and analysis to every situation. Clearly, the glass was always half full. Or more. Someone who did her best to avoid the MacInnes highland family feuds, she would have been well served had she worked at the State Department as a diplomat!

A lovely lady. It was so sad to see her the past 6 or 7 years, fading back to speaking Gaelic and with hazy or blank memory of nieces and nephews in front of her, but at least we knew she was well cared for by Annette and Sharon; a large guilt burden lifted. And a large comfort level achieved. All of us in this extended MacInnes clan owe Annette a huge hug and thanks.

Thankfully, Morag is united with Fred, and with Chrissy and Marjorie and Donald and Ewen. We can take comfort in knowing they are all laughing and drinking all night long. How did they do that?

(Kathy: Wasn't Ewen the name of the son who died at any early age?)

Home at last - not to the Morgan or Rothchild estates, Portree or Pilgrim Avenue - rather to dear Fred, his "Toots" home again at last, forever, as surely bound together as the day I saw you wed.

My love be with you both -

As aye, Catriona

                                  Meditation for the Funeral of Morag Luckham

                                  Written by the rector of the First Presbyterian Church

                                  Glen Cove, NY

In this season of resurrection, with Easter lilies and other spring flowers lifting our spirits from winter's darkness, it is fitting that we gather to celebrate the life of Morag Luckham. She was a gentle and loving woman, devoted to her family and faithful to her church.

She was blessed to live a long and full life. Born in Scotland, raised for much of her childhood on the Isle of Skye, she came to America in 1927 and eventually made her home in Glen Cove with her husband, Fred. Her gifts were many, but one stood out in the conversation with her niece, Kathy, recently. Morag was always able and willing to listen to family squabbles without ever taking sides. That is a magnificent gift. It is the gift of peace making.

Certainly Jesus exhibited that gift, not allowing himself to be drawn into conflict, but instead teaching by example and parable the deeper truth of life. God's love for all humanity was such that it became incarnate in Jesus, who lived with all the human struggles, and yet was obedient to dodge will even to the cross.

Morag gave of herself to all her loved ones in ways that will always lived in their hearts. She incarnated her love in the ax of kindness and quiet devotion. Her nieces and nephews especially have been given a sense of belonging, stretching back to Scotland and in circling them wherever they go. Certainly she is now also embraced by loved ones who preceded her in death. She is at home in her heavenly room prepared for her by Jesus.