One of the leading figures in Dundee’s voluntary sector has died at the age of 60 after a short illness.
Kathryn Mackenzie was a founder of the Volunteer Information Point which later evolved into Volunteer Centre Dundee (VCD)
One former colleague described her as “a magical woman with huge compassion, integrity and intellect, and a giant heart.”
Kathryn led VCD for seventeen years, and was credited with “putting volunteering back on the map in Dundee”.
She was proud of the development of the Volunteer Friendly Award, backed by the Dundee Partnership, which then developed into a nationally recognised award.
She chaired the Volunteer Centre Network and was on the board of Volunteer Development Scotland.
This took her, as Scottish rep, to Amsterdam for the World Volunteer Conference and Prague for the European Conference.
She was also invited to Bute House to meet the then First Minister, Jack McConnell, and recalled that she particularly enjoyed the haggis and neeps canapés.
Kathryn was less keen on an invitation to the Royal Garden Party, which might have involved curtseying.
Locally, she also served on the Boards and Committees of other organisations, including Dundee Community Transport.
A qualified community worker, Kathryn was passionate about encouraging volunteers to give their time freely for good causes.
She came to live in Dundee after a childhood which took her from her birthplace in Berlin to places such as Singapore and Cyprus.
Her family settled in Brora, and although her roots in the North were always strong, she felt Dundee was the place she belonged.
Her career began with a spell working at a playgroup in St Mary’s. It was then that she found her vocation and studied for her qualification as a community worker.
Other employers included Whitfield Sitter Service and Dundee Voluntary Action.
In 2014 she took on the role of managing volunteers at Ninewells Hospital.
Kathryn’s sang with Loadsaweeminsingin, played the piano and the guitar, and had recently been learning the traditional fiddle.
Travel, DIY, her partner Christine and friends and family ensured a full life outside work.
Kathryn died on May 30. A celebration of her life will be held at the Dundee Crematorium at 2pm on Friday June 10.
