Cancer campaigner Lady Mary Keith, 62, dies after battle with illness

Published on 08/08/2006 00:12

THE wife of a prominent Scottish aristocrat has died after a long and gruelling battle with cancer.

Lady Mary Keith, 62, was actively involved in raising cash for cancer charities and died just two years after the death of her husband.

Sir Michael Keith, 65, the 13th Earl of Kintore, was found dead at their home in Keithhall in November 2004. It was believed he had shot himself in the middle of the night while suffering from depression.

Lady Mary and the earl, who served with the Coldstream Guards, had two children - Jamie Keith, now the 14th Earl of Kintore and Lady Iona Keith.

Mary Keith, the Dowager Countess of Kintore, was widely known in the Inverurie area by her maiden name, Plum.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2004 but had shown promising signs of recovery.

She died in Roxburghe House last week. He daughter, Lady Keith, said: "She fought right to the end and at least grabbed another 14 months of life."