Colourful linguist Eileen had a passion for travel

Born in Dunblane on 9 November 1928, she was educated at the town's St Mary's Episcopal School and then at McLaren High School in Callander.

On leaving school she became a volunteer with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and while stationed in Colchester met Captain Raymond Broughton. They were married on 5 June 1947, and their son Alan was born two years later.

In 1958 she attended what was then Heriot-Watt College and gained a Diploma in Commerce. This gave her the option to follow either accountancy or teacher training, and she chose the latter, attending Moray House.

Her first job was at Gracemount High School and she then moved to Broughton High School, where she taught for six years. While teaching she also became an external student of London University and in 1973 graduated with a BSc Hons in economics.

The same year she also became Edinburgh Corporation's Adviser in Business Studies, and an adviser on regionalisation for Lothian Region. She was also a strong supporter of the International Society for Business Education, more commonly known as SIEC, or la Socit Internationale pour l'Enseignement Commercial.

Her exuberant personality and love of conference social events earned her the nickname Mme Volcane among her colleagues at the SIEC, and for the many ways in which she represented Scotland, she was also often known as Mme Ecosse.

Retirement in 1992 brought her the opportunity to indulge her love of overseas travel and languages.

In 1996 she graduated with an MA Hons in Arabic, having spent time studying in both Syria and Tunisia.

Her passion for travel remained until the very end of her life. Two years ago, shortly after having a new heart valve fitted, she enjoyed a trip to France to attend the wedding of a friend's daughter, and in September 2009 she overcame her poor health to visit a friend of 50 years in Tunisia.

She was closely involved with St Peter's Episcopal Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the welcoming committee, and for the past five years, convener of the social committee. She maintained a wide-ranging, highly intelligent interest in the world, particularly the economics, history and politics of Middle East.

Described by friends as "caring, friendly, hospitable, highly-intelligent and colourful", she is missed deeply by them, just as she herself missed husband Ray, who died in 2005, and their son Alan, who passed away the previous year.