Born: 13 April, 1922 in London. Died: 1 July, 2007 in Edinburgh, aged 85.
IONA Crabbie (née Ruthven Stuart) was a remarkable public servant who made a vital contribution to Scotland's Children's Hearing system from its earliest days.
Born in E
ngland of Scottish parents, she was brought up in pre-war France and Austria, where she was educated by governesses and schools in a variety of languages. She was the third of six children and grew tall and slim at an early age. Though never very robust as a youngster, she had striking good looks.
The family had to leave Vienna in a hurry, rather like the Von Trapp family, as Hitler had occupied Austria and Iona's father, a politician attached to the embassy, had been smuggling Jewish people out of the country at night in his car. The British clergyman in Vienna at the time, the Rev Dr Grimes, was shot for making false papers for the escapees. Iona's father would certainly have met the same fate if he had been caught. The family left many good friends behind. Some survived, many did not.
Back in Britain for the war, Iona trained as a secretary and soon afterwards joined the police in Edinburgh. She became secretary to the head of the Auxiliary Women's Police, Lady Erskine Hill. When Rudolf Hess parachuted from his Messerschmitt over Renfrewshire in May 1941, Iona was involved in his arrest.
After becoming a Wren, she was sent to the code-breaking headquarters at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, where she assumed she would be using her French and German skills. Instead, she was asked to learn Japanese. Only shortly before her death did Iona mention that she had learned enough for deciphering work. Clearly, she was determined to honour the Official Secrets Act until the end.
After the war, she married a distinguished naval officer, Donald Crabbie – from the Crabbie's ginger wine family – who predeceased her. They lived happily in Edinburgh and Eddleston, in the Borders, and had three daughters. As her family grew up, Iona contributed to a range of organisations. She was an inspiring Brown Owl in the Girl Guide movement, running a pack in Granton, Edinburgh. She also assisted in a social work agency in Niddrie for some years. Late in life, she trained as an Aids "buddy" and supported a young family affected by HIV/Aids.
In 1970, Iona was appointed by the secretary of state for Scotland to serve on the inaugural Children's Panel in Edinburgh, the pioneering system that replaced juvenile courts. For the first time, lay people rather than the established judiciary were to decide on such measures as the compulsory removal of children from their homes. Yet any initial anxieties about their competence and the extent of their responsibilities were soon dispelled.
It was not long before the original caseload of child offenders was supplemented by referrals for children who were the subject of parental neglect. In 1978 Iona, having impressed with her selfless devotion, was chosen by some 180 colleagues to chair the regional panel for Lothian, a post she held for several years.
Alan F Finlayson, who was reporter to the Children's Panel, recalled her as a dedicated colleague. He said: "It was a great joy to work with her. Above all, however, I remember the careful consideration Iona gave to each and every child's case as an ordinary panel member. This included the most thorough evaluation of case papers, and great sensitivity, clear communication and sound decision-making with regard to the countless children and parents who had the good fortune to have their cases dealt with by her."
Iona is survived by three daughters, two grandchildren and one great-grandson.
The full article contains 621 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
