Well known Uddingston author dies

Jul 22 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

RESPECTED author and teacher Helen McLullich has died, aged 94.

Helen, who lived in Uddingston for much of her life, was responsible for changing the face of Scottish education through her teaching style and groundbreaking educational books.

She inspired generations of children as a primary school teacher from 1938 to her retirement from Muiredge Primary School in the village, in 1980.

Helen then embarked on a second career as an author, and her textbooks, Wordpower and Reading 2000, which insist on the significance of auditory memory in the teaching of spelling, still remain relevant and are used in schools today.

She was a truly remarkable individual who also campaigned tirelessly for charity.

When her beloved husband Ian died of Parkinson’s disease in 1997, she immediately set about raising money for the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

Helen set up her own publishing company and wrote two books about the Second World War - Images Through the Mists of Time (1999) and Lest We Forget: Scotland in the Second World War (2000).

She won a prestigious Saltire Society literary award for Lest We Forget and the proceeds from both books - a staggering £30,000 - were donated to Parkinson’s in Scotland.

Helen, a one time president of the West of Scotland Reading Association, was also a former member of the BBC Primary Programmes Committee and an advisor for BBC children’s programmes in Scotland.

She was also an accomplished pianist and a well-known figure at the Lanarkshire Music Festival.

Helen was shortlisted as an unsung hero in the Sunday Mail’s Great Scot Awards 2007.

She was also delighted to receive a Community Service Award from South Lanarkshire provost Russell Clearie MBE only last year.

Councillor Mary Smith, Chair of Education Resources, said: “Helen dedicated her entire life to educating minds.

“She set thousands of young lives off on the right foot and continued her work on a far grander scale after she retired.

“Her children’s books are truly inspiring. She was a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed.”

Michael McMahon MSP said: “Helen McLullich’s work was inspirational, innovative and accomplished.

“ She made a significant and indelible contribution to the advancement of education, but her charitable works were equally highly regarded.”

Jim Hood MP, added: “Helen was an inspiration to children over several generations and made a valuable contribution to the community of Uddingston throughout her life.”

David Taylor, 36, a former primary one pupil of Helen’s, added: “Helen was a unique individual.

“She gave me the very best start in life and will continue to influence and inspire children through her books for many years to come.”

Her funeral is at Perth Crematorium, Crieff Road, Perth, tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm.