Wife of former top cop dies suddenly

Apr 4 2008 By John Rowbotham

THE wife of one of Hamilton’s best-known former police officers has died in Monklands Hospital.

Margaret McKenzie passed away on Sunday after a renal illness.

The 61-year-old retired prison officer was the wife of John McKenzie, who currently leads South Lanarkshire Council’s crackdown on antisocial behaviour.

Mrs McKenzie, who lived with her husband in Hamilton, was originally from Blantyre and her maiden name was Phairs.

She left school and trained as a tailoress at the former Hector Powe’s factory in Blantyre before leaving to work with the Prison Service.

Mrs McKenzie was based mainly at Greenock Jail but also worked at Barlinnie, Shotts and Glenochil Young Offenders’ Institution.

John McKenzie said: “My wife was a very talented seamstress and worked as an instructor in the prisons, teaching prisoners to sew.

“They made uniforms for other officers and also for external customers.

“They also made waterproof jackets for industry and there was quite a lot of skill in that.”

Mr McKenzie added: “She enjoyed the work and established a great rapport with the prisoners, many of whom were guys serving long sentences.”

Mr and Mrs Mckenzie had been married for 41 years and have a daughter Angela (39), who works for South Lanarkshire Council, and five-year-old granddaughter Abby.

Mr McKenzie said: “My wife became ill while we were Spain in February and was admitted to hospital when we came home.”

He added: “In her spare time, she did a lot of sewing and she also doted on her granddaughter.”

John McKenzie was a police officer for more than 30 years, rising to the rank of inspector.

He served in Hamilton and other Lanarkshire police offices and came up with the idea of a “curfew” as a way of tackling the problem of young neds roaming about the street causing trouble.

The initiative was introduced to Hamilton 11 years ago and attracted worldwide interest.

After retiring from the force, Mr McKenzie joined the council and is currently coordinator of their problem solving unit.

The unit includes the authority’s antisocial behaviour team and community wardens.

l Margaret McKenzie’s funeral, due to take place tomorrow (Friday) at St Joseph’s Church, Blantyre, has been postponed and is now scheduled to take place next week.