St. Drostan’s Cemetery is located on a picturesque hillside with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. To the east, you can see the Firth of Forth and the distant East Lothian coastline. To the west, you can enjoy views of the charming village of Markinch, the sprawling new town of Glenrothes, and the distant Lomond Hills. It’s an intriguing juxtaposition.
The cemetery is where Lavinia Cunningham was laid to rest. Her family’s grave is distinguished by an intriguing headstone design. Lavinia passed away on November 25, 1918, from influenza and pneumonia in the nearby village of Milton of Balgonie, aged just 9.
Lavinia Nicol Cunningham was born in Milton of Balgonie on August 9th, 1909, to William, a coal miner and Mary (nee Watson). She was the couple’s first daughter, following the birth of their son, Robert, two years earlier. When the 1911 Census was conducted, Lavinia and her family were still residing in Milton of Balgonie, where she would remain for the rest of her tragically short life.
On Saturday, November 30th, the Fifeshire Advertiser published an obituary for Lavinia, stating she was “deeply mourned.” Her obituary featured the following verse:
“Just when her hopes were brightest. Just when her days were best. She was called from this world of sorrow. To a home of eternal rest”.
Sources: British Newspaper Archive, Scotland’sPeople
Broken Columns 