The Western Cemetery in Dundee is an impressive site. Situated on a hillside overlooking the River Tay, it is the resting place for many Dundonians who gained significant wealth from the city’s textile and manufacturing industries. Their graves are marked by elaborate monuments. In contrast, the grave of Marguerite Robertson is more modest. She is buried in a family lair originally designated for her great-uncle, David Robertson, a linen merchant. Marguerite passed away from influenza on December 30th at Dundee Royal Infirmary at the young age of twenty-seven. Like many other victims I have researched on this website, Marguerite worked as a nurse and likely contracted the disease while caring for her patients.
Marguerite Daisy was born at 27 Step Row, Dundee, on February 25th 1891, to John Robertson, a draper’s assistant, and Margaret (nee Coldstream). She was the couple’s eldest surviving child. By the time the 1901 Census was taken, the family had grown with the arrival of two more daughters, Annie and Lena. The Robertsons remained at 27 Step Row.
Tragically, Lena died on September 26th, 1910, at the age of fourteen. By this time, the family had relocated to 28 Shepherd’s Loan, and Marguerite remained at this address for the rest of her life. The Robertsons endured further tragedy in 1913 when Annie died from rheumatic fever and endocarditis on April 29th, aged only twenty.
Shortly before her own death, Marguerite lost her father on March 28th. She was present when he died and registered his passing. She joined her sisters and father in the Western Cemetery. She was unmarried.
Margaret still resided at 28 Shepherd’s Loan when she died. She survived her husband and eldest daughter by nearly ten years. She passed away on January 21st 1928, aged sixty-nine.
Sources: Ancestry, Scotland’s People
Broken Columns 