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| Homepage | IN MEMORIAM |
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To recognize those who have gone before us, this page is dedicated to those members of the Galbraith Clan who have made their mark on this world, be it large or small. To honor those who have finished their journey, and passed on to the hereafter. It is not our intent to only recognize those individuals who were members of our organization, but to include members of Clan Galbraith from all over the world. If you have individuals you would like to honor here, please submit a brief biography and a photo if possible to the website webmaster - webmaster@clangalbraith.org |
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"You canna see Ben Lomond,
Sae far are you awa' Nor o' Ben Nevis get a glint A' wrapt in virgin snaw; But oh, forget not Scotland, this goodly Christmas-tide And welcome this bit heather sprig, Beyond the waters wide." |
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Poem buried with Helen Donaldson Galbraith in 1920 when she passed away at the age of 96,
still missing her beloved homeland after 70 years...she was also buried with that bit of
heather sprig. |
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Ruby Jeannine Galbraith Riley A proud 5th generation Houstonian, Ruby had a deep love for Texas. She took great pride in having been cited by the Handbook of Texas primarily because she had firsthand knowledge of the history of Galena Park and the east Houston area. She dedicated years to tracing her ancestry and found direct connection to famous people including Daniel Boone and Samuel Morse as well as the Scarborough shipping family who owned the Mayflower. She was also a member of Clan Galbraith (DNA Group 1), and as such traveled to Scotland with the Mancill family to attend the Clan Gathering at Culcreuch Castle, Stirling, Scotland which had been the clan seat from 1320 to 1624. As a devoted Christian, Ruby was an active member of both First Baptist Church of Galena Park and First Baptist Church of Katy where she taught Sunday school to children and adults for many years. She was instrumental in beginning the ESL Literacy program at FBC Galena Park in the early 1970's. A highly educated woman, Ruby held a Master of Education degree from the University of Houston Clear Lake serving as a public-school teacher for the Pasadena Independent School District for over 30 years. She often found herself teaching the children of her former students. After her retirement, she filled her days with reading, sudoku, genealogical research, and daily coffee and Jeopardy with her daughter Rachel and often her granddaughter Hannah. She found continuous fascination watching hummingbirds, bees, dragonflies, squirrels and other wildlife visiting the flowerbeds planted largely to attract them. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carrol Gene “Bud” Riley; her mother, Lucille Graff Galbraith; her father, Robert Wellington “Shorty” Galbraith and her sister, Jane Galbraith Prater. See Obituary click here. |
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Clay C. Katchmar Beloved wife of the late Dr. Leon T. Katchmar, loving mother of Dr. Elizabeth K Bowman (Lawrence), Martha K. Lee (Dennis), Peter J. Katchmar (Joannie), Michael Colby Katchmar (Beth), and Eric P. Katchmar. Dearest grandmother of 11 grandchildren and great grandmother of one. Clay is preceded in death by her four siblings, Eleanor Jean, Clifford Joseph Cassell, Helen June Mitchell and Virginia Ruth Rogers. Clay will be deeply missed by nieces, nephews, family and friends. Clay taught kindergarten in a Montgomery County school, until she retired when expecting her first child. She raised her 5 children for 16 years before returning to work in 1973 to supervise a day care center in Essex for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services. She served in that capacity until 1982. For the next year she inspected day care homes for Baltimore County DSS. She retired in 1983. An alumna of the University of California, Berkeley Campus, she earned a master’s degree in human Growth and Development at the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. This is where she met her husband of fifty years. Clay enjoyed teaching day care in Berkeley and San Francisco as well as in a Nursery school at the Presidio of San Francisco. She was a flight attendant for United Air Lines. She directed a Cooperative Nursery School and was a teacher of Parent Education in Merced, CA from 1950 till 1952. She was a lifetime member of the National Associations of Individual Investors, American Association of Individual Investors, and the Clan Galbraith of North America. She was a former president of the Saint Margaret's Mothers Club, and she was instrumental in changing it to a Home School Association. Clay was also a president of the Harford County Branch of the American Association of University Women. For two years she chaired the Saint Ignatius Christmas Bazaar. Clay was blessed to achieve her goal of living to be 100 years young and was very honored to receive the Pope's blessing in a commemorative document on that occasion. A mass of Christian burial will be held at the historic St. Ignatius Church in Hickory, MD. Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery. See Obituary click here. |
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Sharon Ellen Fore Galbraith Before her departure to join her beloved husband, Jim who has been waiting (patiently we hope) 4 years for her to make the trip to heaven to finally reunite with him, was surrounded by family members and loving caretakers. Sharon began her life on April 23, 1944, as the daughter to George and Mae (Chocklett) Fore, growing up first in Roanoke, Virginia before her family moved to the Fort Lewis area of western Roanoke County. Sharon shared her youth with her older brother Steve “Dickie.” Sharon graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, class of 1962, and it was there she first met the one man that would forever change her life, her high school sweetheart Jim Galbraith whom she would marry in June 1963. Jim and Sharon became permanent residents of Salem’s Beverly Heights neighborhood in 1966 and remained in Salem for their entire lives. The rest as they would say is history and the stories of Sharon’s life would be more than enough to complete a novel, but we will keep this obituary to a “Cliff Notes” version for simplicity. Sharon retired from Walmart in Salem back in 2009, after many years of service. Sharon also worked alongside her husband, Jim as Secretary/Treasurer of Galbraith Electric Motor Service, Inc. of Salem, Virginia from 1971-1986. Sharon is predeceased by the love of her life and Husband of over 57 years, James Bartrom (Jim) Galbraith, and her parents, George and Mae Fore. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, Roanoke, Virginia. See Obituary click here. |
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Robert Winston Galbraith He was born on August 27, 1924 in Washington DC, a son of the late WW and Lucille Galbraith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doreen Galbraith; second wife, Frances; Son, Douglas W. Galbraith; and Brother, John Galbraith. Bob retired from United Airlines after 35 years. He loved the mountains and liked to be known as "Montezuma Bob." Very active in the Avery County community, he was a member of the Rotary, served as Treasurer of the Cranberry Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner, loved to golf and was a long time member of Mountain Glen Golf Club. He was member of the Army Air Corp and served in WWII. Bob was also a member of First Baptist Church Newland. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, Daughter in Law; Tish Galbraith of South Carolina; Granddaughter, Shannon Leonard of Virginia; Grandson, Tait Galbraith of Ohio; Great Grandchildren, Bella and Rory; two nieces and two nephews; and members of the Ledford, Pritchard and Sudderth families. Bob was interred with his wife, Frances in the Montezuma Cemetery. See Obituary click here. |
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Jean Ann Troop Survived by son Kyle (Susanne) Troop of Racine, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Christpher (Grace) and Sarah Jean. Preceded in death by her parents, son, Eric in 2022 and brother, Clyde Galbreath Wyker in 2024. Private graveside service at East Carmel Cemetery in Rogers, Ohio. See Obituary click here. |
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Euphemia Galbraith Ponkratjew Date: Sun, Jun 25, 2023 Subject: Effie Ponkratjew To: president@clangalbraith.org My mother Euphemia Ponkratjew died June 18th, she was 98. She was member #4, That tells you how long she was a member. At some time I will be taking her ashes to be buried in her hometown of Selkirk, Scotland. Lorna Adamczyk Clan Galbraith member |
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Paul H. Galbraith He was born March 27, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Howard and Rose (Valdez) Galbraith. Paul was a Topeka High School graduate in 1952. Paul joined the United States Army in April 1953 and was honorably discharged after his service. Furthering his education, he went on to college at Washburn University and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 1959. Paul also went to Kansas University to complete his graduate studies. After receiving his degree in social work, he worked as a psychiatric social worker at KNI. After leaving KNI, Paul began working for the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit with the State of Kansas. Paul was a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor and eventually was promoted to the department Administrator. He retired in June of 1997. Paul married Shirley Borchert on September 16, 1983 in Topeka. Together they enjoyed traveling and their favorite adventure was to Scotland, where they were able to visit and stay at the Galbraith Castle. Paul and Shirley loved spending time with their family all together. In his spare time, Paul collected antique furniture and books, studied genealogy and enjoyed golf and KU Basketball games. See Obituary click here. |
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Christopher Westall Galbreath Jr. Chris was a former Naval aviator and a retired Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff. He was cousin to several Clan members, as he was in our Group 1 DNA group. See Obituary click here. |
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Marilyn J Blaschke See Obituary click here. |
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Charles Richard Galbraith
1931-2022 After serving in the US Army during the Korean war from 1952-1954 in San Antonio, Texas, he retired from Bethlehem Steel on March 30, 1985, after working for over 35 years. See Obituary click here. |
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George Charles Zeller George Charles Zeller, 71, passed away on March 20, 2021. Born in Salem, Ohio to Ward and Ruth Zeller (predeceased), George was a long time Cleveland resident. He graduated from Salem High School in 1967 and still holds the record in the high hurdles. He graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in Sociology and was the high hurdles champion in the Ohio Conference in 1971. He received a Masters degree from Ohio State University and later taught at Ashland College and Mansfield Reformatory. George went on to a highly successful career as an Economic Research Analyst with the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland and later as a private economist and was regularly quoted by local and national media on employment and economic trends facing Ohio and the country. George also served on the Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority Citizens Board. George was also greatly involved in the short wave community including writing columns in national magazines, speaking at national conventions, and being elected to the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame in 2011. George was the family genealogist and visited Switzerland numerous times to research ancestors. George was a diehard Cleveland sports fan. He attended Indians spring training in Arizona with his brother Bob for years. George is survived by his sister Valerie Zeller (Peter) and brother Robert Zeller (Julia). |
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James (Jim) Bartrom Galbraith See Obituary click here. |
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Ellsworth Lynn "Woody" Woodward Ellsworth Lynn "Woody" Woodward passed away July 2, 2019 in Irvine California at the age of 100 years old. He was born on November 25, 1918 to his parents, Lettie Lee Galbraith-Woodward and Joseph Daniel Woodward. Lettie was the daughter of Rose Perrin Linn and James Savage Galbraith. He had one younger brother, Harold Melvin Woodward who preceded him in death. Serving in World War II, he traveled to many countries serving as an aircraft Radio Operator in the Army Air Corps. Alice Eileen Semon and Woody were introduced by their respective cousins and married in Covington, Kentucky in 1942. They resided in Dayton, Ohio until Woody's retirement from General Motors when they moved to Clearwater, Florida where they lived until Alice's death in 2014. At that time, Woody moved to Irvine, California to be close to his two daughters, Carolyn Lee Woodward-Millar and Joan Lynne Woodward-Dewing. At his 100th birthday, family and friends from around the US joined him in celebrating his longevity and remarkable life. He is survived by his loving family: daughter- Carolyn, four grand-children- Scott Cockerill, Daniel Catalano, Kimberly Catalano, Jeffrey Amend and two great grand-daughters- Courtney Catalano and Ainsley Amend. |
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Vivian Mae Rogers See Obituary click here |
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Glenn E. Smith See Obituary click here |
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David Ray Galbreath See Obituary click here |
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Milton A. "Al" Galbraith, Jr. A resident of Clearwater, Florida for most of his teenage and adult life, Al was a passionate citizen who loved the Bay area and served the community through his employment as City Attorney by both the City of St. Petersburg (2000-2011) and the City of Clearwater (1985 through the late 1990's). Al actively participated in the Clan Galbraith Society, working as Secretary for the organization that helped him reconnect with his Scottish roots. Inspired, he took his wife, daughter, and Mother in Law on a trip to Scotland a few years ago and was able to see the original castle that the Galbraith clan owned and lived in centuries ago. He enjoyed attending the bi-annual Clan meetings, including last year in Victoria, B.C., which conveniently enabled him to see his daughter in Seattle, WA. Al will forever be remembered by his family as a devoted husband and loving father. His legacy lives on in the memories of those who knew him, and the grandchildren who called him "Poppi". |
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Wanda Ras Wanda worked as a respiratory therapist and was very active in her church. She enjoyed reading far into her old age, and when she was younger, belonged to the "Great Books" group for women. In addition to her children, she leaves behind several nieces and nephews, many cousins, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She was pre-deceased by her younger sister Evelyn Marie Terhune. |
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Loree Gilbreath Miller Loree worked her college summers for Lyndon Johnson, then Texas director of the National Youth Administration, driving herself around the area teaching farmwomen how to safely can vegetables and fruit. After the last of her seven children started to school, Loree worked as a school librarian. Joining Clan Galbraith in 1982, she served as a commissioner for her area in the mid 90's. She and Fred attended several clan gatherings where she made many long-lasting friendships. It was to Clan Galbraith that she presented her life work: "Andrew Gilbreath of Virginia, Proof of Parents for Hugh Gilbreath, born 1781 in Virginia, Allied Families Hicklin, Coffey, and Turnbow". It had taken her 25 years of laborious research to complete it. Loree contributed to The Red Tower and kept up a lively correspondence with her fellow Clan Galbraith members. Along with Clan Galbraith, Loree belonged to First Families of Tennessee, The American Genealogical Society, and the Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. When Clan Galbraith began their DNA project, she was disappointed to learn she could not participate. So she quickly enlisted her younger brother, Tad, to send in a kit to be analyzed. She continued to be interested in this project until she died. Just weeks before her death, she read her last Red Tower from cover to cover. Loree was known to her Clan Galbraith friends as a keen researcher. |
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Audrey Galbraith She, along with her husband Jack, attended the First International Gathering of the Clans in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1977. All the Galbraith's attending that event -some 137 - later gathered at Culcreuch Castle where Hercules Robinson, then owner of our ancestral home, formed a Galbraith Clan association which Audrey and Jack joined. Audrey and Jack returned to Culcreuch Castle for the 2002 Clan Gathering and they attended the 2004 Gathering in Cape Breton. Audrey was the mother of John and Jane, a former public school teacher, figure skating judge, general volunteer, and dedicated homemaker. |
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Sharon Galbraith Although not born a Scot, she enjoyed all things Scottish. Her first visit to Scotland was for her son's wedding in Culcreuch Castle and revisited later as a tourist. She enjoyed cruises and counted Scotland, Ireland, England, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Hawaii, and multiple Caribbean islands as destinations; she and her husband also visited Israel. Sharon became very adept using a computer and was a major contributor to the design of their retirement home in New Mexico. Sharon is the mother of Gary and Scott and was successful in business as an education product manager, technical writer, and bill collector. |
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Jean Scroggie She was raised in NY and VA, graduating from Middlebury College, VT. She and husband Bob Seixas resided in VT, where Jean was a substitute teacher and raised 3 children. After the marriage ended, Jean operated a small college bookstore. In 1997, Jean and companion John Wichern retired to Chapel Hill, NC. Jean was thrilled to be able to attend the nearby 2008 CGA gathering in Huntersville, NC and becoming reacquainted with friends. |
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Byron Alexander Gilbreath Survivors: Wife, Virginia: Stepchildren and spouses; Mark and Lisa Ellis, Kathy and Scott Hudson, Teresa and Michael Fairies; sisters, Doris Wall of Temple, Dollie Shepherd of Dallas, Ruth Jones of Gatesville; brother, Wesley Benton Gilbreath of Houston; and Grandchildren, Brittany and Brandon Hudson, Tanner and Kathryn Ellis. |
Joan Gilbreath March 7, 1926 - February 9, 2006 |
Mom in Seville by John C. Isbell Mom is in the gardens of the Alcazars. She is wearing Black, with a black straw hat. She is traveling again. The years have been kind to her. Her white hair is almost blond, and her smile is confident; Her birdlike cheekbones frame her alert eyes. She is taking everything in.There is only so much time In this life, and how better to spend it than with family In strange parts of the world? Mom has seen China and the Pyramids, and now she's left her cottage To see Seville again. It is so lovely. Mom is pausing to rest on a bench And contemplate these gardens and her granddaughter. Behind her, the warm sun dapples the earth: There is a place for elegance in this world. |
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Andrew Galbraith Emerson Andy, our Clan Bard, had attended several clan gatherings, where he entertained us with his guitar playing, singing (often in Gaelic), stories and sense of humor. He left his wife, Tilly Jo (also known to and well-liked by many of us); a son Ken and two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth; two sisters, Lucy Kistler and C. G. A. member Katherine (Kitty) Pedersen of Montana (whom some of us had met at Culcreuch) and four grandchildren. Andy and Tilly Jo had recently moved from their long-time home in Maplewood to Morris Township, NJ. A service was held at St. George's Church, Mapleton, on August 21. An impressive ceremony in a large, packed church was highlighted by a eulogy delivered by Andy's son Ken and an emotional tribute and poem presented by Haung Xian. Andy had spent five years in a labor of love to translate his poetry into English, published here but banned in China. A bagpiper, Colin Nisbet, played before the service and led a procession to the church's Cloister Memorial Garden where Andy was interred. |
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Erle Chenault Galbraith Jolson Krasna Mrs. Krasna, who died at her Century City, California home, controlled Jolson's recordings after his death in 1950. Jolson starred in the first "talkie" film in 1927, "The Jazz Singer". Born Erle Chenault Galbraith in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1923, Mrs. Krasna met Jolson at a hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She moved to Los Angeles and appeared in several minor film roles before marrying Jolson in 1945. She married Academy Award winning writer Norman Krasna in 1951, and the couple lived in Switzerland for 20 years before her husband, also an RKO executive, died in 1984. Mrs. Krasna is survived by four children and three grandchildren. (Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on January 26, 2004) Erle Galbraith, shown here with her husband, Al Jolson, was the 1st Cousin once removed of CGA Member Ernest Arthur Galbraith, and the 2nd Cousin of Steve and James Galbraith. |
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Nadine Galbraith Mauk Nadine was a long distance telephone operator in Wichita and supervisor with AT&T in Newport News, Virginia during WWII. Returning to Wichita during WWII, she worked as a PBX operator for the Army Air Force. After the war, she was co-owner of Mauk Groceteria and later owner of Nadine's Tot and Teen. She was the department manager of children's wear for Hinkels Department Store in Twin Lakes, a docent at the Wichita Art Museum for 29 years, and was involved in church activities at Fairview Christian Church, a member since 1945. Nadine married her husband of 62 years, Eugene Mauk on December 16, 1941. Nadine was very proud of her Scottish heritage and the Clan Galbraith Society was an important part of her life. She served from 1986 until 1990 as both Secretary and Treasurer with Bob Galbraith as President. She enjoyed the office very much, when members would renew their memberships she would always write a personal note back with their renewal. Nadine and Eugene attended the first meeting of Clan Galbraith at Golden, Colorado in 1982. Nadine left these earthly bonds on Sunday, January 4, 2004. At her internment, a Scottish Bag Piper lead the procession. |
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James Muir Galloway (Jamie) Galbraith With the outbreak of WWII, he was serving in destroyers which brought him to an encounter with German Battleship Bismarck. In May 1941, during an attack by the Bismarck, Jamie Galbraith suffered severe injuries that resulted in his discharge from the Navy. After the war, he passed the Land Agents' Society's exam and after periods at Kinmount in Dumbriesshire and Dochfour near Iverness, he was appointed factor at Bowhill, near Selkirk, by Walter, 8th Duke of Bucceleuch in 1954. In 1964 he was apponted Director of Buccleuch Estates. In 1984 he was appointed CBE for his services to forestry and land management. In 1945 he married Anne, daughter of Major Kenneth Paget, of Itchen Abbas, Hampshire; she survives him with their three sons and a daughter. |
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Peter Roy Clerihew Most of his out-of-school time was devoted to the Boy Scouts. He went on to study art history and archeology at the University of British Columbia, and later joined the Canadian Customs and Excise Department as an art and antiques appraiser at the Vancouver Airport. Peter had a talent for building detailed miniature models of historical buildings of past centuries. After taking early retirement he devoted his time to the UBC Museum of Anthropology as a volunteer guide. Peter was a sports fan and avid reader of Scottish military history and enjoyed doing family history research with his sister. Peter died of a sudden heart attack on July 21, 2003 at the age of 67. A memorial service was held for him in September 2003 in the Great Hall of the Museum of Anthroplogy. Peter Clerihew was member 667. |
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Robert L. (Bob) Galbraith His obituary states that "He left his mark in your lives and his hometown for almost 60 years. He was was a worthy member of a generation which established an image of trust and stability." Bob wrote most of the early Red Tower articles on Galbraith History. "He gave the best of himself in serving Clan Galbraith as President. His heart and soul went into his service without reservation. Clan Galbraith will forever reap rewards from his dedication." |
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Ernest Arthur (Art) Galbraith He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and had a great time at the Clan Galbraith Gathering at Culcreuch Castle in May of 2002. |
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Gertrude Marie Galbraith Wiegman |
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Pearl Galbraith Barker Everyone who attended the Galbraith Clan Gathering at Culcreuch Castle in May of 2002 remembers Pearl's amazing zest for laugh, her beautiful smile, and caring nature. She brought a degree of enthusiasm, and adventure to the gathering in Fintry, Scotland and touched many lives during our all too brief stay at the castle. |
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Donald Galbraith, Piper |
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Charles R. Galbreath |
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Lela Marie Hultquist Booth Lela was a Life Member of Clan Galbraith and up until 2001 was working on tracing the identity of several members of her Galbraith ancestry. Lela was descended from James Galbraith who died 1744 and is buried at Derry Church, Hershey, PA. |
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Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. |
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Kenneth Eugene Galbreath Ken had been a member of Clan Galbraith Society for several years. He was a 4th generation descendant of Thomas Galbreath and Catherin Kissecker of the Red Horse Tavern in Pulaski County, Virginia. |
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Louise Galbreath She was original member number 25. Louise was the wife of the late Robert F. Galbraith, Jr. |
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Mary Galbraith |
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Iva O. Boom |
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Louise C. Galbreath |
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Elizabeth Speer Hartwell |
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Margaret Irene Rhead Margaret was born March 11, 1917 in Toronto, the daughter of Samuel Cunningham Foster and Angelina Campbell Galbraith, both of Ireland. She married Francis Arden Wesley in 1941 and raised three boys, Peter, Walter and Robert. |
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Mervin Colin Ward See Obituary click here |
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This page last revised: March 15, 2025 © Clan Galbraith Society, 2002-2025 |