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_Rex WILSHER _|
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|--Susan Jane WILSHER
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|_Betty _______|
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!OBITUARY: THE CLAN MACLEOD MAGAZINE, No. 83, October 1996, pp. 290-291. Susan Davidson Kelly who died in October 1995, was the younger daughter of Rex Wilsher, farmer, enthusiastic horseman and English Rugby Cap from Bedford and his wife, Betty, school teacher, genealogist and author. Susan followed her elder sister, Penny, to Somerville College, oxford where they studied Chemistry, although Susan changed to graduate in Politics, Philosophy and Economics which was a requirement for her chosen career in Social Welfare. At Oxford, Susan's Presbyterian background encouraged her to form a strong link with the Iona Society there. She was born at Barnard Castle, Durham (the town rather than the actual fort). Her arrival was possibly the grande finale, a rainbow, to the same tempestuous snow-storm which had commenced with the birth of her future husband one hundred miles due North in Edinburgh. ('La ville de glacons'!) Brought up as a farmer's daughter in Bedford and EAst Anglia, Susan enjoyed team games and horse riding. At St. Leonard's School in St. Andrews, she was able to continue and refine her natural abilities in a variety of sports; fives, hockey, squash, horse riding and also develop a deep affinity with Scottish culture. Married to fellow student at Oxford, History teacher, Housemaster and Deputy Rector, John Davidson Kelly, son of Neville and Molly, on 18th April 1964, they took on the role of joint secretaries of the London Branch from Kenneth and Toni MacLeod in 1971 enabling Kenneth to 'retire' to Harlosh in Skye. John and Susan helped Kenneth and Toni organise their first two Parliaments, initiating the Marquee, before taking over in 1978 to run four by themselves - with the assistance of a well marshalled army of willing helpers during which time attendance grew from 200 to 300 delegates. This put an increasing strain on available resources and accommodation, although few delegates would notice. On their return to Scotland in 1985, Susan was able to return to Social Work where her work was greatly appreciated. Her wonderfully well attended funeral service in Glasgow bore witness to the wide scope of her work on behalf of others about which we in the Clan Society knew very little. The understanding and the confidence which enabled her to tackle the variety of major tasks throughout her life has been hugely beneficial to Clan MacLeod and a delight and encouragement to us all. Susan Davidson Kelly is survived by her husband John and their two daughters Kirsteen and Sally.