Obituary: Sheila Collie, veterinary surgeon

Childhood holidays spent on the isle of Harris were the catalyst for Sheila Collie's career as a vet. The idyllic Hebridean location provided ample opportunity for the youngster to help out on surrounding crofts and cemented an early interest in the care of animals.

A bright pupil, during her secondary schooling at Craigmount High, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, her abilities were recognised when she was awarded the David McShane trophy. She also achieved the high grades required to secure a coveted place at the Dick Vet School.

Being accepted to study to become a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 1981 was already a significant achievement at a time when the annual intake of veterinary students was much smaller than today's norm, with only 47 lasting the course to qualify from her year's intake.

It was at university that, while striving to walk the fine line between pursuing academic and social endeavours, she met her future husband, David, their bond established through many an adventure - including an impromptu late night performance of Strip The Willow on the roof of a well-known Edinburgh hotel. These were also the years when her generous spirit, easy manner and interest in others saw her forge many friendships that lasted a lifetime.

In 1986 a desire to see something of the world before starting her career saw her spend the summer in New Zealand, witnessing the work of veterinary surgeries and making more firm friends with whom she stayed in touch.

She qualified the following year and began work in a mixed veterinary practice in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire. However, following her engagement to David the couple wanted to set up their first home together in Edinburgh, and she returned to Scotland after a year. They were married in Corstorphine Old Parish Church in October 1988.

Living initially in Orwell Place, they later moved to Currie, where they had easier access to the Pentlands and the outdoors, as well as a garden for her green fingers. Shortly after settling in Currie, she began working as a veterinary surgeon for Ryan & Calder of Dunfermline, where she was instrumental in helping to set up their branch surgery in Dalgety Bay.

In 1994, David was offered a postdoctoral position in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, and they both embraced the opportunity enthusiastically, spending two years there making the most of a steady stream of visitors from home. The highlight of their time in the US was the birth of their son, Bruce, in September, 1995.The family returned to Currie the following summer before moving to Horsburgh Bank, Balerno, in January 1997, a few months before the birth of their daughter, Catriona, who was followed a couple of years later by son Campbell.

Like many mothers who eschewed pursuing a full-time career, she chose to devote her life to her family, her friendly and cheerful nature earning her many more friends on the walk to and from school.

She also became involved in the school community, frequently assisting as a parent helper on school trips, experiences she loved sharing with the children.

Family life was built around a shared faith, supported by their involvement in church life, initially at Currie Kirk, where she was one of the founding members of a contemporary service and supported various aspects of church life, and more recently within Balerno Parish.

Between 1997 and 2011 her veterinary career centred on her self-employed status, working both in and around Edinburgh as opportunities arose which could be tailored to fit in with family life.

Her most regular and long-standing surgeries were with the West End Veterinary partnership where she consulted at the Morningside branch surgery on a Tuesday and Friday evening.

She was also active in the community in Balerno. She was chairwoman of the scout group executive of the 51st Balerno Scout Group for several years, a role that ran parallel with her children's involvement in the cubs, scouts and guides and reflected her real awareness of the need to return something to these local organisations so that they might thrive.

Along with others on the group executive she oversaw the expansion of scouting in Balerno to its current robust state.

Typical of her enthusiasm for a new project that required a planning eye and social networking of the traditional kind, she relished the role, finding it challenging but also very rewarding. She also relished any opportunity to support Catriona in her involvement in the Balerno Theatre Company, Southern Light and Gang Show performances - deriving, as she did from anything that her children were involved in, great pride.

Her own mother died last year, after having been ill for more than 25 years; Sheila supported the whole family throughout the illness, their bereavement and beyond.

When her own health deteriorated rapidly over the last month of her life, she continued to greet visitors with grace, a smile and, characteristically, an interest that focused on them rather than her. She achieved her ultimate wish to return home and died in the arms of her family.

She is survived by her husband David, children Bruce, Catriona and Campbell, her father Robert and brother Iain.