Lady Kintore, Mary Keith

by Michael G Martin, KHPB Band President

I met the late Countess of Kintore for the first time on the KHPB trip to Scotland in 1980. Her late father-in-law was the Earl of Kintore and Chief of the Clan Keith at that time. Lady Kintore became a close friend and ardent supporter of the KHPB over the years. Many of the band members were able to meet and visit with her at various Clan Keith events, and those who met her were immediately impressed by her warmth, friendship and generosity.

Lady Kintore planned to travel to Seattle in July 2004 with her husband to visit the band at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games and Clan Gathering in Enumclaw. But in June 2004 she called me to let me know that she had just learned that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her treatment prevented her from making that trip to Seattle, but the band was fortunate to be able to visit with her twice in August 2004 during our second trip to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.

I spoke with Lady Kintore the week before she died. She very much looked forward to visiting again with the band during this year’s trip to Scotland. Lady Kintore fought her cancer with faith, spirit and courage until the very end. The KHPB was fortunate to be able to play for her and for those attending her memorial service. We know that she was watching over us as we played. As will everyone who ever met her, we will miss her dearly.

The following article was published in the Scotsman newspaper on Friday Aug 11th, 2006.

The Dowager Countess of Kintore

Clanswoman and Christian

Born: 17 September, 1943, in Rumson, New Jersey, USA.
Died: 1 August, 2006, in Aberdeen, aged 62.

THE Countess of Kintore could have been role model for the stereotypical 21st-century noblewoman. Elegant, a ready sense of humour and genuinely loved by those she knew, Lady Kintore energetically lived for her family, her local community, her church and her charitable work. When financial difficulty 15 years ago caused the loss of the ancient family home of Keith-Hall and a move to property nearby, she set to immediately, making the new house into a home, while helping to oversee the sale of the historic building near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago and forced to redefine her charity targets, she gave special effort to MacMillan Cancer Support, speaking at a MacMillan fundraising lunch. To achieve the appearance, she rested all morning, but was exhausted for days afterwards.

The widow of Michael, 13th Earl of Kintore and chief of Clan Keith, and mother of Jamie, 14th earl and present clan chief, American-born Mary Plum was the daughter of Gaddis Plum, an American citizen who volunteered for service under the British flag in both world wars. He flew with the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War, and had reached the rank of squadron leader in the RAF when killed on active service in the Second. A fluent French speaker, "Plum" - she was rarely called by her first name - saw finishing school in Florence and Switzerland before teaching at a London kindergarten.

Enthusiasm remained the hallmark of her life, and her undertakings were always in very definite hands-on mode. She instructed and examined for the British Horse Society; headquartered the Aberdeenshire branch of Riding for the Disabled from her home; took the chair for the World Wildlife Fund; and was secretary to the local RNLI.

A generation ago, her husband Michael presented her with a Highland heifer one Christmas. The upshot became a lifelong interest in the breed, chairmanship of Highland Cattle Society, and the reserve championship in 1993.

Personally and through Lord Kintore's role as chief of clan Keith, she travelled widely, particularly to clan meetings in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Her strong Christian commitment saw her an active supporter and fundraiser for a Christian Palestinian school in Ramallah, on the West Bank, where on her three visits, she was "Auntie Mary" to the children. At home, she played a prominent part in the affairs of St Mary's Episcopal Church in Inverurie.

When, a decade ago, an ambitious project began to restore a lifesize three-dimensional model of the coat-of-arms of the 7th Earl of Kintore above the portico of the Kintore Arms Hotel in Inverurie, it was Lady Kintore who quietly contributed towards the project.

An annual attender at the Aboyne Highland Games, the commentator Robbie Shepherd paid special tribute to her at last Saturday's Gathering (5 August). It was typical of her that she asked that no mourning be evident at her memorial service on Tuesday (8 August). It was recognition of her faithfulness to the clan that a detachment of Keith Highlanders from Seattle paraded in full uniform in her honour following the service.

She is survived by her daughter, Lady Iona, and son, Jamie, who succeeded as 14th Earl of Kintore following his father's death in 2004.