The Clan Macquarrie Centre in Borve reported on their Facebook Page tonight (Tuesday April 13):

We were sad to hear the news today that Mrs Marie Jessie Emmett had recently passed away at the age of 93.

She had been unwell for some time.

Marie Jessie was born and brought up in Borve, where her father was Postmaster.

When the MV Clan Macquarrie ran ashore at Borve in the Great Storm of 31st January 1953, her First Officer, George Emmett, remained in lodgings in the village to supervise the vessel’s salvage and refloating.

During his frequent visits to the Post Office to file his salvage reports to the Clan Line , he met, struck up a friendship and soon fell in love with the Postmaster’s daughter!

George and Marie Jessie - who are photographed above - had a long and happy married life together until George passed away a number of years ago. They resided in England.

The story of how the Emmetts met is a big part of our community history, of course.

So much so that when the Community Centre was completed in 2009, Marie Jessie was approached to conduct the official opening and we were very pleased that she readily accepted.

Our condolences as a community go to Marie Jessie’s family, friends and relatives at this difficult time.