Cathie Boyd
1914 – 2006

On Monday 24th July 2006 Cathie (Catherine) Boyd passed away from this world at the age of 92. Cathy was born in 1914 to Effie and Rev. Alexander Boyd, who held a post in South Uist. He later took posts in Ballachulish and Inverness, where he was minister at St Mary's Gaelic church.

Cathie became interested in the Bahá’í Faith when she met Betty Shepherd at a teachers' meeting in 1960. Betty and her family had pioneered to Inverness in 1959, opening Inverness to the Faith. Cathie was interested in Theosophy both from her father and her university days and, upon hearing that Betty was a Bahá’í, wanted to know more about the Faith. She met Betty for coffee and Betty gave her "Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era" which was written by Dr John Esslemont, whose family Cathie knew, and respected from her days at Aberdeen University. Cathie's grandmother had a picture of an Eastern man on her dressing table which had been given to her while passing through the Red Sea on her way back from Australia. She had referred to the man in the picture as her 'Best Boy' and described him as 'a wonderful man, though not a Christian.' Cathie was later to find out that the man in the picture was none other than 'Abdu'l-Bahá!

Cathie became a Bahá'í in 1961, at the age of 48, agreeing with all the principles and, after her experiences of war-time, having a great passion for peace and unity. Cathie wrote to many clergymen in Inverness and told them about the Bahá'í Faith; two showed an interest and were offered a book about the Faith.

In 1962 Cathie became a member of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Inverness. Shortly after this there was a lot of publicity against the Faith from one of the churches; headlines warned the public to beware the Bahá'ís, a 'heretical sect' who should be 'shunned like poison'.

Cathie responded to a call for pioneers to Motherwell, where she took up a teaching post and helped to form the first Spiritual Assembly of that town. She quickly became aware of the sectarian prejudices already deeply ingrained in the minds of the children of the area, but always drew strength from her firm belief in the oneness of religion. Some time later, she returned to Inverness.

Cathie was a prolific letter writer to the end and took every opportunity to bring the Faith and the principles in which she believed to the attention of all with whom she came in contact. She wrote not only to friends but also to public figures and people of influence, promoting the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. She was also a keen promoter of Inter-Faith.

Cathie loved the Gaelic language and culture, attending the "Mod" whenever possible, and was delighted when the Hidden Words was published in Gaelic and took copies to give out one year at the Mod.

When young Cathie had been expected to look after the house and family whilst her parents were out caring for her father's congregation. Consequently pastoral care came naturally to her – writing encouraging letters and keeping in touch by phone with isolated believers, with cards ready at the 19 Day Feast for all to sign as well as visiting the sick in hospital. Cathie was always refined, polite and dignified.

Cathie will be remembered at Summer Schools and Conferences, which she attended whenever she could, for her many wonderful qualities and kind deeds: her open-hearted love for humanity; the way she spoke so gently and carefully with people, ensuring that all were included in the conversation and none were left out; her audacity, courage and steadfastness in the Faith; and especially for the time she had for children and youth, always showing interest, encouragement and support.