The New York Caledonian Club remembers friends and members we have lost...
Lesley MacLennan Denninger
Lesley MacLennan Denninger
September 28, 2024
In Memory of our Dear Lesley 78th & 82nd Chief
Dear Members and Friends,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to write about the death of one of our most beloved members, Lesley MacLennan Denninger, who died peacefully at home on Saturday, September 28th with her family by her bedside. Lesley was twice Chief of the Club and also Chieftain, as well of course as an active and proud Board Member for many years. With her son, Andy, grown, she was able to throw her energy and new-found time into what she had long wanted to do, celebrate her Scottish heritage. In short order she was asked to be the 78th Chief and she made sure the value of the Club was widely recognized not just for day-to-day events but honored for its history: associated with the 79th NY Highland Regiment, the only kilted regiment of the civil War; and founded, let us not forget, in 1856. Lesley was involved in all activities; like the Mod, the renovation of the Burns statue in the Park, Flag Day at St Thomas’s, the Memorial Day service at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (never missed it, rain or shine), as well as running a tight ship at Board meetings, also as 82nd Chief and Chieftain when the then-Chief was ill. But her tentacles stretched out further. She was latterly on the Board of the St Andrew’s Society. She said of her work on the Almoner’s Committee, “It’s not just what the Society is about. Helping others is what life is about”. That summed up Lesley’s character. She was the NYCC rep on the Tartan Day Parade Committee and boy, did that take time and effort, arranging Grand Marshals, events, bands. She was board member, President, Treasurer (“We need someone good. Where’s Lesley?”). As current Parade Committee President, I was indebted to her, as my mentor, confidante, and just plain pal. We had fun, exhausting, not-uneventful times, in New York but also representing the NYCC at the Westbury and the New Hampshire Highland Games, where she admitted to drooling over the Strong Men in their events. She also fessed up to finding Grand Marshal, Sam “Jamie Fraser” Heughan, not unattractive. And yet…she also made sure she kept strong ties with her extended family, son Andy, grandchildren Kristi, Ryan and Megan but siblings and cousins galore. Somehow found time for a fulltime job. She was the Energizer Bunny. We all loved her, admired her and will miss her desperately.
Kyle DawsonTreasurer
New York Caledonian Club
President
National Tartan Day New York Committee
Jim Campbell
James R. Campbell
FEBRUARY 9, 2007
In Memory of our 73rd Chief
Dear Members and Friends,
It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death of Jim Campbell at his home on February 9, 2007. Jim served the Club faithfully and diligently as the 73rd Chief, and as Chieftain, Director, and Ambassador. As a former Chief Jim was an Honorary member of the "Veteran's Association of the 79th New York Highland Regiment." Jim was also Trustee of the Clan Campbell Education Foundation and Finance Committee Chairman of the Clan Campbell Society of North America. In addition, he was an active member of the St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York and various other Scottish organizations. Jim was actively involved in New York Tartan Week, and had been recently elected the Chairman of the National Tartan Day New York Committee.
Jim Campbell was Vice President of Administration at MTA Long Island Bus, Garden City, New York. He joined the nation's largest transportation organization in November 1988, after previously working as a corporate human resources director in Fortune 100 companies.
He held a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston, attended Graduate School at Case Western Reserve University and studied at the Yale School of Organization and Management. He held the highest level of professional accreditation through the Society of Human Resources management. Jim was a recipient of several community service awards and is of biographical reference in Marquis' Who's Who in America. Jim was also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, active in several professional organizations and a member of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Jim will be fondly remembered by all of us as a gentleman of great tact, diplomacy, graciousness, warmth, and vision. We will miss him greatly in the years to come. A traditional Scottish memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. We will post details about the service as soon as they are made final. All are welcome to attend and honour Jim's life, dedication and friendship.
Sincerely,
George A. Campbell
76th Chief
New York Caledonian Club
New York Deputy Commissioner - New York City
Clan Campbell Society of North America
Andrew MacMillan
Andrew Macmillan
OCTOBER 28, 2016
It is with profound sadness that the New York Caledonian Club announces the death of Andrew Macmillan. Andrew served as our 75th and 77th Chief. He will be sorely missed.
An outstanding member of the Scottish American community, Andrew was a past President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee and a founding member of the New York Tartan Day Parade Committee.
Our condolences to Andrew's wife Kitty, and to all of his family.
Arrangements will be posted as soon as details are finalized
Margaret Daly
Margaret Daly
DECEMBER 4, 2006
In Memory of our 69th Chief
Margaret Daly was the Chieftain under George Campbell 1994-1995, and took over as Chief to fill out George's term.
A Memorial Service for Margaret was held at Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, New York City on Wednesday December 13th.
Chieftain Margaret Daly with Chief George Campbell, in 1994
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson
JANUARY 19, 2018
The New York Caledonian Club is very sad to announce that Sheila Wilson died on January 19th after a very quick downturn in her health.
Sheila was one of the driving forces in the restoration of the Club in the 1980's, and was at the time of her death, the most senior member, having been with the Club for more than 30 years.
Sheila was also very active in the dance community in New York.
The Memorial Service for Sheila Wilson was held on Saturday, February 14th at 2:30 at Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 325 Park Avenue, New York City.
Elizabeth Maysilles
Elizabeth Maysilles
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
The New York Caledonian Club is saddened to hear that Elizabeth Maysilles passed away on Election Day, November 12, 2014.
Elizabeth was a member of the Club for almost 25 years. She always brought a sense of quiet dignity with her.
Elizabeth served the Club as Chieftain in 2001-2001, and served several terms on the Board of Directors.
She will be greatly missed...
Sheila Burton
Sheila Burton
OCTOBER 12, 2013
It is with deep regret that the New York Caledonian Club announces the passing, on October 12, 2013, of long-time member and Director, Sheila Burton.
Sheila died at New York Hospital, while undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.
There was a service for Sheila on Saturday, October 19 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 122 E 88th St., New York.
There was a viewing in the church at noon. The service was at 1 pm and was followed by a reception in the undercroft. On Monday, October 21 there was a Committal service for Sheila at 10:00 am at Maple Grove Cemetery, 83-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, Queens, NY.
Priscilla Campbell
Priscilla Campbell
FEBRUARY 7, 2013
It is with our deepest regret that we announce the passing of our club member Priscilla Campbell.
Priscilla was a member of the Caledonian Club for almost 20 years. She served the Club as Director, Secretary and Treasurer. She died at home, with George, on February 6, after a long fight with cancer.
Our deepest sympathies go out to George Campbell, The Club will sorely miss her. A Memorial Service for Priscilla was held on April 13, 2013 at the West End Presbyterian Church.
Dear Ones,
We love Priscilla Campbell (George too) and will miss her good natured humor, her sweet piping, and humble Spirit. She was selfless in service to the NY Caledonian Club and it's Missions. New York City will miss her. We imagine she has already been Piped in through Heaven's Gates. Memorial Day and the Ceremony at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in New York City will be different with her absence. Over the past few years, people who attended the Ceremony would ask "Where is that Red Headed Lassie Piper?" They remembered Priscilla, as you could see her from far away long before they would march up through monument's Plaza.
Elizabeth Maxwell Barbour
Elizabeth Maxwell Barbour
AUGUST 16, 2012
Elizabeth died peacefully at Victoria Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, on August 16, 2012.
Elizabeth was a long time member of the NY Caledonian Club and lived in Queens most of her life after immigrating from Scotland.
While bravely battling an aggressive lung cancer, her sisters arrived in New York from Glasgow to take Bertha (as she was known) back to Bonnie Scotland, her place of birth, so that she could spend her last weeks in Scotland with her family and friends.
This was her wish and she was at peace when she passed away. Bertha will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.
Margaret MacLeod Block
Margaret MacLeod Block
MARCH 31, 2012
With great sadness the New York Caledonian Club announces the death of Margaret Block (Wee Maggie).
Margaret was a member of our Board of Directors. After a fierce battle (we expected no less) with cancer, Margaret died at her home in Douglaston with her husband John, and her friend Brenda by her side.
Memories of Margaret...
"It was with unbelievable sadness that I heard the news of Margaret MacLeod Block’s passing. Margaret has been a member of the New York Caledonian Club’s Board of Directors for many years, and has served as the Chairman of the Hospitality committee during much of that time. A better fit for that position would not have been possible.
Margaret was known for her hospitality. The first time I attended a party at Margaret’s, I felt like I had finally come home. Margaret had a way of making everyone feel at home. Sitting in her living room, across from the roaring fire, in the company of Margaret, her family, and fellow Caledonians I truly felt that there was nowhere else on earth I would rather be than right there.
Margaret did not confine her hospitality to her home. For a number of years now she has spearheaded ALL the arrangements for food and drink at NYCC events. Homemade Scottish specialties, unbelievable cakes and desserts - it was all perfection. I will always remember the special times when we drove down to Brick, N.J. to Cameron’s for meat pies and haggis, then up to Kearny, N.J. to Piper’s Cove for a Scottish shopping spree, a natter with Jock and his wife, and lunch at Argyle Fish and Chips, or her favorite, the Thistle.
In addition to all this, Margaret, a native Gaelic speaker, opened her doors just about monthly to a group of Caledonians who gathered not only to learn the language, but to sing it as well. Now this always included some sort of libation to oil the pipes, and ended with some of Margaret or John’s homemade baked goods. All this was accomplished under the watchful eye of her beloved Sheltie, Jeannie. I would add a special thank you to her husband, John for not complaining about having to listen to our wee group (The Islanders), time after time, singing the same songs over and over, n a variety of keys.
Our deepest condolences go out to her whole family – to John, her children Tina and John Jr., her son-in-law Darren, and her little granddaughters Grace and Delilah.
I could go on, there really were so many special moments, and I know that everyone who knew Margaret has memories of special moments with Margaret, but I will conclude by saying that I will miss Margaret unbearably, but will hold these memories close to my heart, and she will never leave me."
Lesley MacLennan Denninger
Chieftain, New York Caledonian Club
Lisa Beth MacKinlay
Lisa Beth MacKinlay
JUNE 13, 2011
The New York Caledonian Club regrets having to report the departure of one of our long term members, Lisa Beth MacKinlay.
Lisa Beth passed away on June 13, 2011 following a lengthy battle with cancer. She served as a member of the NYCC Board of Directors, and she will be missed.
Reverend Richard R. Preston
Reverend Richard R. Preston
DECEMBER 20, 2009
The New York Caledonian Club is sad to report the passing of Reverend Richard R. Preston who died on December 20, 2009.
Richard was a current member of the Board of Directors of the NYCC.
He will be greatly missed by members of the Club, and our condolences go out to the members of his family.
John Anderson
John Anderson
JUNE 16, 2015
The New York Caledonian Club is saddened to hear that John “Scott” Anderson passed away on June 16, 2015.
John was a member of the Club for almost 30 years. He always brought a great sense of pride in being from Scotland. He will be missed.
The memorial service was held on Saturday July 18 at 3:00pm at West End Presbyterian Church, 165 West 105th Street, New York, NY 10025. All were welcome. A light reception was held after the Service.
The Church has opened a fund to provide John a bronze grave marker at Cypress Hills Cemetery at a cost (including all the relevant fees) of $2,500. The procedure for the grave marker donations would be a check made payable to West End Presbyterian Church with "John Anderson Memorial" in the memo section. Donations can be sent to the West End Presbyterian Church at the above address.
There were performances by the New York Scottish Pipes and Drums, Marla Kavanagh of the Highland Divas, soloists from WEPC Gospel Choir and The Islanders Scottish Gaelic Singers.
John "Nick" Ruprecht
John "Nick" Ruprecht
NOVEMBER 21, 2015
The New York Caledonian Club is saddened to hear of the death of John "Nick" Ruprecht.
Nick passed away on November 21st, 2015, at the age of 81.
A private funeral was held in Union, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife of almost 27 years, Carole "Ross" Ruprecht. Both Nick and Ross are senior members of the NYCC, having been members of the Club for close to 30 years. Nick, with Ross by his side, attended most of the NYCC events. Nick always had a smile, and a kind word for everyone.
Our condolences to Ross, and to Nick's family. We will, indeed, miss Nick.
Ronald Stewart
Ronald Stewart
OCTOBER 1, 2016
The NY Caledonian Club is sad to learn of the passing of Ronald Stewart, a long time friend and pillar in the Scottish community.
Ronald Stewart, 82, of Winchester, NH died at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH on Monday, September 19, 2016 after a brief illness. His loving family was at his bedside.
He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on September 1, 1934; the son of a gamekeeper, George and Jane (Anderson) Stewart. Ron grew up Scotland, attended local schools and served a five-year apprenticeship as a carpenter prior to serving two years in the National Service in the Royal Engineers.
He immigrated to the United States in 1968 to become a self-employed woodworking specialist. Ron and his family lived in Long Island, NY when they arrived in the states, and later moved to Catskill, NY where they lived until they moved to Winchester, NH in 2015.
He was a member of the Catskill, NY Masonic Lodge # 468 and was a 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite. He was also a member of the St. Andrew's Society of Schenectady, NY. He played the fiddle for most of his life and competed to win the Northeastern United States Scottish Fiddle championship in 1994. He enjoyed reading the works of Robert Burns, mostly because it was written in his native tongue and he enjoyed the philosophy in the writings. Ron recited the "Address to the Haggis" and "The Immortal Memory", many times and he entertained with other Burns poems and Scottish stories in verse.
He was a master woodworker and craftsman specializing in custom staircases and unique design. Additionally, he was an author and wrote "The Gamekeeper's Son" which was published in 2015.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Ann R. (Lambert) Stewart; three daughters: Hazel A. Stewart and her husband Norman Clark of Rochester, NY; Aileen Pulcrano and her husband Stephen of Catskill, NY; and Jane Stewart Cardinale and her husband Jason of Winchester, NH; a grandson, Ian Cardinale of Winchester, NH; a brother George Stewart of Elgin, Scotland and a sister, Mairi Smith of Cellardyke, Fife, Scotland, and many nieces and nephews abroad.
A memorial service was held in the United Church of Winchester, NH on Saturday, October 1, 2016. The Rev. David Hughes officiated. There was a reception following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Andrew's Society of Schenectady, NY c/o Brian Kohler, 6 Joseph Terrace, Albany, NY 12203
Morag Mossawir
Morag Mossawir
NOVEMBER 14, 2017
Morag (née Gillies) Mossawir, a NYCC member who served on the Board, passed away on November 14th 2017. She was born in 1935 and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. Morag studied nursing at the University of Glasgow but left Scotland in 1961 for the United States. She married Albert G. Mossawir in 1963. Morag later studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in her 40s. She kept working and concentrated on children's clothing, focusing on quality control for Federated Stores and traveling throughout the world.
She is survived by her son, John Roderick Mossawir and two grandchildren. Her brother predeceased her in 1986. A memorial service was held at 11am on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 @ The West End Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
The Flowers of the Forest
WRITTEN BY JEAN ELLIOT (1756)
I've heard the lilting, at the yowe-milking,
Lasses a-lilting before dawn o' day;
But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning;
"The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away".
As buchts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning;
The lasses are lonely and dowie and wae.
Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighing and sobbing,
Ilk ane lifts her leglen, and hies her away.
In hairst, at the shearing, nae youths now are jeering,
The Bandsters are lyart, and runkled and grey.
At fair or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching,
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming,
'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play.
But ilk ane sits drearie, lamenting her dearie,
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
Dule and wae for the order sent our lads to the Border;
The English, for ance, by guile wan the day:
The Flowers of the Forest, that foucht aye the foremost,
The prime o' our land are cauld in the clay.
We'll hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,
Women and bairns are dowie and wae.
Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning,
The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away.
Wanna help? We accept volunteers...
Whether you are an accountant, a cook, a graphic artist or just willing to help clean up after an event, we would love to have you!