Tanya Arkipova - Rest in Peace

Tanya was a friend of mine. I learned from today's Nairnshire Telegraph (the local newspaper which, alas, has no online presence) that Tanya died last week in Malta, where she was spending the winter. She was 62.

Tanya was a highly amusing and unusual person - a true original. She was a transexual who started out life as Ronald McHattie, although that was a LONG time before I knew her. I have taken the liberty of reproducing her photograph and the article about her which appeared in today's paper:

Tanya Federova Arkipova Rest in Peace

Life won't be quite so colourful this coming spring and summer in Nairn.

UPDATE: (Thursday 2FEB06 13.55 GMT) Funeral arrangements are - funeral service on Monday 6th February at 12 midday at the United Reformed Church, Nairn, interment thereafter. Important notice: (through D Chisholm & Sons, Funeral Directors) - NO BLACK TO BE WORN.