Born: 25 September, 1937, in Elgin.
Died: 3 May, 2008, in Elgin, aged 70.
ROMA Hossack was the community activist who in a 30-year local government career polled the largest-ever number of votes in Moray for a C
onservative Party candidate, during the 1992 general election. She lost to the SNP's Margaret Ewing, but secured 17,455 votes.
Given that this had once been the seat held by Gordon Campbell, Conservative secretary of state for Scotland, it was a brave achievement.
Mrs Hossack, née Civiera, an approachable, friendly person who bore an air of commitment and dedication about her, might never have entered public life but for the tragedy of being widowed by the untimely death of her husband shortly after their marriage.
Always possessed of a keen interest in Moray affairs, she was elected to Elgin Town Council in 1972, and continued when Moray District Council was formed in 1975.
Not content with simply local representation, she won the Burghsea seat on the former Grampian Regional Council and took an active interest in the eight strategic regional functions, particularly social work and transport – an activity which she continued until her death as Moray Council representative on HiTrans, the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership.
She later lost both regional and district seats, but fought a comeback campaign as an Independent that saw her returned to Moray Council in 2003 representing Lhanbryde and Birnie.
While firmly of the Conservative persuasion – she sat as a Tory on Grampian – she eschewed any party tag in all the years she was an elected member on Elgin Town Council, Moray District Council and Moray Council. She had an endearing quality as a "hands-on" councillor and at the time of serious flooding in Elgin in 2003 she was found, sleeves rolled up, at Bishopmill House, a local home for elderly people, assisting flood victims.
A justice of the peace and active supporter of many charities and community groups, she chaired Cornerstone Housing Association, Moray Licensing Board and Elgin Community Council. Grampian Police's staff charity recognised her with a Good Samaritan award five years ago in recognition of her contribution to community life.
A devout and lifelong Roman Catholic, Mrs Hossack worshipped every Sunday in St Sylvester's Church, and took a keen interest in Pluscarden Abbey, the Benedictine settlement near Elgin.
The church recognised her work by appointing her in the rank of dame in the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great.
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago, Mrs Hossack was due to be buried today at Pluscarden Abbey, near her brother Leonard, who predeceased her four years ago.
The full article contains 448 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
