Nairn Games will remember competitor Jocelyn Ronsch (nee Cameron) who competed in the dancing classes in her childhood as her family are raising funds in her memory for medical research and to buy something to remember her by at the event
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The family of a Nairn woman who competed in the dancing classes in her childhood are raising funds in her memory for medical research and to purchase something to remember her by at the Nairn Games.
Jocelyn Ronsch (nee Cameron), who lived in Teltow in Germany, died of cancer in March after a very long illness from her first diagnosis in 2012.
Her husband Dr Hendrik Ronsch said she was always a very positive person and prepared her family for her passing and told them she wanted them to take her ashes home and scatter them in the Moray Firth.
The family returned to Nairn on what would have been Nairn Games Day to carry out her last wishes.
“Jocelyn was born in Forres and raised in Nairn,” Hendrik said. “She loved her home town and Scotland very, very much. So much so we spent every summer and every second Christmas in Nairn to visit all relatives and spend time with them which we all enjoyed.
“She was truly a ‘family animal’.”
Jocelyn went to Nairn Academy and later studied to become a teacher in Aberdeen and Lancaster. The couple met it in Edinburgh in 1994.
“Long before her death, she always mentioned she wanted to be more attached to the Nairn Games,” Hendrick said.
“She was a Highland dancer and she loved the tug o’ war and always had in mind to donate a trophy and see a German team competing.”
The couple had three children, Lewis, Scott and Romy, and the family lived in Cologne for three years before moving to Teltow outside Berlin in 2008.
“Jocelyn actually never complained [about her illness],” Hendrick said. “She got on with life and enjoyed every day of it. She packed so many things into every day.
“She wanted to be an example for her children and I suppose for all those athletes competing during the Nairn Games too, to continue and to never give up.
“Some of her last words were ‘no sentimentalities, please. I want that people remember me with a smile on their face – ideally while having a party!’
“She wanted her ashes to be given to the Moray Firth. We went out on a boat at Findhorn and it was a very moving moment for all the family as we carried out her final wish.
“We already had her memorial day on April 23 in Berlin, which was a hard day for me and the kids – but a day to remember.
“After the ceremony in the Moray Firth, Jocelyn wanted us to enjoy ourselves so we went for a meal at the Bandstand and just enjoyed reminiscing.”
The family started a crowdfunding campaign which has raised funds for Cancer Research UK and the Nairn Games and 25 per cent of the funds will go to marine research.
Stuart Farrell, Nairn Highland Games secretary, said: “It was great meeting up with Hendrik and his family during their stay in Nairn.
“We had a brief discussion how best we can remember Jocelyn and their children are going to select a trophy for the dancing classes.
“They will return next year as guests of the games to present the trophy.”
• To donate towards the campaign, visit here.
