ELLA AND ELEANOR
SELKIRK is this week mourning the loss of two of its most respected and valued female citizens.
On Sunday, Ella Phaup, a redoubtable advocate for the town in local government and a tireless worker for numerous voluntary organisations, passed away peacefully in Thornfield Nursing Home. She was 91.
Three days earlier, Eleanor McCudden, a stalwart of business and civic life and the widow of Ex-Standard Bearer Ian McCudden, died suddenly at the age of 64.
The affection in which Eleanor was held in her beloved native town was reflected at her funeral service yesterday when hundreds packed into Selkirk Parish Church.
They heard from her lifelong friend Edith Scott of her many achievements, including her key roles in retailing and with many local bodies including Scott’s Selkirk, the Chamber of Trade and the Women’s Unionists Association.
Concluding her eulogy, Edith said: “Eleanor was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, granny and friend who will leave a huge void in this town.
“But she would be the very one to say to all of us: just get on with it and get it done! We will – we owe it to her.”
The credo that actions speak louder than words was shared by Ella Phaup who was, by an standards, a phenomenon, entering public life in earnest in 1966 as a town councillor and serving on Ettrick and Lauderdale District Council from 1977-96.
She fought to save Viewfield Hospital, formed the local swimming club and helped raise over £250,000 with the local branch of Cancer Research.
And she loved the Common Riding, her highlight coming as a bailie in 1982 when she bussed the Royal Burgh Standard for David Mitchell.
“Ella was a delightful person and a great champion for Selkirk,” said former district provost Drew Tulley this week.
Her son Graham, who will return from the US for the private cremation on Monday, told us: “I expect Ella has already had a ding-dong with St Peter – about the state of the pavements in heaven!”
Obituaries - page 6 and 7
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Weather for Selkirk
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 8 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
