HELEN KING (née  Cochrane): a tribute from Susan FG Forde, 27th January 2022

It is over 50 years since Helen came into our family like the sun bursting out from behind the clouds. My father, who had been a widower for seven long years, telephoned me from down south to say that he was engaged to be married to a wonderful woman with a voice like Kathleen Ferrier’s. It was very good news and a very happy marriage. Helen loved being ‘Mrs John King’, and John, when he accompanied her on singing engagements, revelled in being ‘Mr Helen Cochrane’. They celebrated their Silver Wedding, and a bit more, and during my father’s later days Helen cared for him devotedly.
Back in 1970 Helen threw herself into her new rôles  with characteristic vigour and enthusiasm. To Iain and to me she was more of an older sister; to our three children, then aged 7, 8 and 9, she was a full-time grandmother; in time she became a great grand-mother, a very active one, mainly in the days of her widowhood; and in 2020 a great-great-grandmother. If you are looking for a word to describe Helen – “great” seems the right one.
She enriched our lives. We shall miss her.
I’ll end with Helen’s own words about this gathering here today of family and  friends and admirers. She said, “I would like this occasion to be a celebration of my life. It was a good one – and I hope you were glad to share it with me.” She also said we should “Sing out” and though we will not match her voice in beauty I believe that – together – we can match it in volume.

Delivered in the Cloister Chapel, Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh, Scotland.