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In Loving Memory of

Evelyn McDonald

In Loving Memory of Evelyn McDonald

We gather here in this online memorial book to honour and remember our dear colleague and friend Evelyn.  She touched our lives with her kindness, humour and warmth, and she will be greatly missed.  

This is a space for us to share our thoughts, memories and condolences, whether it’s a story, photograph, or a note of rememberance.  Thank you for taking the time to pay tribute to Evelyn.

Book Owner: Kayleigh Callaghan

Book Size:  500 Messages

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Susan Waldron

I had the pleasure of getting to know Evie from my time on the College Management Group where she supported Muffy with minutes. It was always a good meeting, but the highlight for me was the faces Evie made in response to the topic being discussed. I think it was subconscious on her part, and it was far from rude, indeed her demeanour was often very sympathetic, but I really think she had her finger on the pulse of what was important to staff, and you could tell from Evie’s face if Muffy was getting it right! She was a lovely, lovely, lady – always positive and happy. I really enjoyed the chats we had either end of the meeting or in the College Office. To her family: I am so very sorry for your loss, but she has left a cloak of love as I think you can tell from the very fond comments in this book, so when it gets hard remember this and wrap yourself up in it….

Susan Foote

Evelyn was one of the loveliest, caring, kind, smiling person I have known. She was always interested in hearing about me and my family as well as work related stuff. She was a constant support to me when I worked in the University with her vast knowledge and expertise in everything work related she really was remarkable. My lasting memory of Evelyn will be her cheerful voice and big smiles every time I saw her, sending love to all her family at such a sad time 💔…

Amanda McGarvey (was Smith)

It is hard to put into words what you all must be going thought at this time.  I first met Evelyn when she was on the interview panel for a position in the Faculty office of Engineering in what feels like many moons ago.  I didn’t get that post, but ended up working in what was Civil Engineering at the time so our paths still crossed: when I would have to pop over to drop off paperwork and then stay to chat!  Evelyn was always so helpful and friendly.  With the move to Colleges and Schools there wasn’t as much of a need for contact, so it dropped for a number of years.  It all picked up again when I moved position and was on looking for time in the diary for our two bosses to meet!  And from there we would e-mail back and forth extending past what we had originally been on to sort out. I know Evelyn will be sorely missed by many, but she has left lasting memories in us all and will be remembered fondly x…

Mhairi Docherty

Words are difficult to find to do justice to the impact that Evelyn made to our College team. Evelyn was always helpful, friendly, reassuring – a wee dynamo of joy, able to detect when someone needed a pick-me-up or virtual hug. She was one of the kindest people I’ve met here at the University. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of who did what in the college and in different parts of the University meant that I was often ‘picking her brain’. Nothing seemed too much bother for her and she was always willing to give things a go to help others out. I will never forget Evelyn, her radiant smile with a wee glimmer of mischief.  I feel lucky to have known her and my heart goes out to her family and many friends who miss her warm presence.  …

Elaine Cook

I was first introduced to Evelyn a long time ago by a colleague, Netta Lithgow, who has since retired. Evelyn and I clicked instantly. What I remember most about Evelyn was her smile and her laugh.  She was always so helpful, positive and sociable.  Her knowledge about the ways of the University was second to none. As it turned out, we found ourselves pregnant around the same time. We would compare bumps as we chatted on the underground on the way to the train station of an evening. Evelyn had her daughter, Jennifer, just before I had my son, Myles. When we returned from maternity leave, we would discuss becoming a mother and how our lives had completely changed, looking forward to the usual things like taking our children on holiday and making many happy memories.   What I also loved about Evelyn was her unique sense of style, her dresses, hairstyles and her big chunky boots – she was the Phoebe Buffet of the Uof G! She touched many people in her time at the University – one of the many wonderful things about her was that she didn’t even realise the effect she had on her fellow colleagues. …

Clare McMullan

Evelyn was a beautiful person inside and out.  Always ready with a warm smile and went out of her way to be helpful, even when it caused her more work.  She will be sadly missed….

Martin Hendry

I got to know Evie during my time as Head of School and member of the COSE Management Group. I would often arrive early for our CMG meetings and would look forward to a wee chat with Evie about how things were going as she was setting things up for the meeting.  Similarly, it was always a pleasure to spend a few minutes chatting with Evie and the other COSE Office Staff before my regular one-to-one meetings with Muffy. Evie was always keen to hear how my daughter Catriona was doing, as she made her way through school and the life of a teenager, and it was always lovely to hear how Evie’s daughter Jennifer was doing too. When I stepped down as Head of School I missed my regular contact with many friends and colleagues in the College – not least with Evie, who was always such a friendly and welcoming member of the team.  I was so saddened to hear the news of Evie’s passing: it came as such a shock, and made me sorry that I hadn’t managed to keep in better touch with Evie over the past few years.  My heart goes out to her…

Karen Biggins

I can actually hear Evelyn laughing in the photograph here! I worked with Evelyn and Jacqui across diaries in the University – if I was stuck with who supported who in Schools and Colleges Evelyn often knew who it was and made my life so much easier in the early days of my University career.  Evelyn was always the same when you spoke to her very upbeat and positive; never complaining and was everyone’s cheerleader.  Often speaking about Jennifer as we compared teeanage daughter growing pains and joys.  She is very missed University wide and will be for many years to come.  A lovely lady who left this Earth far too soon. …

Helen Harkness

I first met Evelyn when I joined the University in 2016. How can I describe her?…words won’t do justice, but I’ll have a go. Evelyn was a bundle of joy and humour, always ready with a quick witty remark and an immense walking catalogue of who’s who, where to go and as important, where and who not to go to. When I struggled with my time management and just agreeing to too many meetings, Evelyn was my saviour. She introduced me to ‘tidy up Friday’, which helped me a lot, and a practice I still do and always think of her when I do it. When I think of Evelyn, I remember her smile, her wacky (at times) dress sense, her chunky boots (which i coveted) and her energy, also as a safe place to go to when I needed help. I’m sure Evelyn touched many lives, and I can honestly say, she had, and still has a massive positive impact on mine and I’m glad to have known her. My thoughts and best wishes are with her family and friends….

Neil Bowering

Evelyn was not only a valued colleague but also someone who truly looked out for me and made a lasting impact on my time at work.  Her kindness, support, generosity and endless supply of milky way bars (which would magically appear on my desk when I look stressed!) will never be forgotten. She had a way of making others feel welcome and supported. It’s rare to come across someone so genuinely caring, and I feel fortunate to have worked alongside her. My thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time….

Angela Loy

Evelyn made me and everyone who joined the college feel really welcome from our first day. She was so knowledgeable, kind, funny and down to earth. I’ll miss our chats about music and bands we had seen over the years/were going to see and also our fashion trends (good and bad!) over the years. She will be greatly missed by so many. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. x   …

Lynne McCorriston

Evelyn and I had been at the University forever. I knew her back in her Engineering days, and it was great when we both moved into the College. She was always so lovely, cheery and helpful – she knew everyone and everything. A perfect colleague. Both being from the ‘Well and of a similar age we used to enjoy catching up on the happenings in the town and discuss our mutual acquaintances! I don’t pass her office without thinking of her. My condolences to all of the family….

Ian Brown

I was deeply saddened to hear about Evelyn’s passing. Over the past 20 years, I had the privilege of knowing someone with great kindness, warmth, and unmistakable sense of humour. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family during this incredibly hard time. I hope you find comfort in the love you shared and in the many lives Evelyn touched….

Sofia Apollonov

Evie was one of the loveliest humans I have ever met in my life. When I first started at Glasgow in 2017, I had moved and knew no one. Right from the get go Evelyn made me feel right at home. I always loved bumping into her in the office and popping in for a quick chat. Once of my last memories was Evie telling me how amazing it was to see Taylor Swift with Jennifer and how she just had the most amazing time. She willl be missed so much and sending my condoloences to Jennifer and her family. Evelyn was such a wonderful person and I will miss her light every day.   …

Katherine Henderson

I was lucky to have met Evelyn on my first day, and she left such an impression – warm, kind, and welcoming, with an unforgettable smile! Throughout the 13 years that I knew Evelyn, she approached her role with humour, kindness, and sincerity, and that never changed; she was always professional but approachable, quick-witted, and charming. I loved coming into her office for a catch-up that always ended in fits of laughter. A favourite memory of mine was when Evelyn told me about the whisper people in this weird cupboard in the kitchen. I was terrified to go in there on my own after that! Evelyn found it hilarious! I loved Evelyn’s style; she was so fashionable and didn’t even realise it, and she didn’t seem to age! Evelyn possessed a huge heart, always seeing the best in people and would never say a bad word about anyone. That level of kindness and generosity in spirit is rare. I will miss you so much, Evelyn.  My sincere condolences to Evelyn’s family and friends. xxx…