Catherine Graham, Duchess of Montrose

Catherine Graham, Duchess of Montrose (5 September 1935 – 29 October 2014), formerly Catherine Elizabeth McDonnell Young, was the wife of James Graham, 8th Duke of Montrose.[1] She became well known for her philanthropy.[2]

She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, the daughter of Norman Andrew Thomson Young and his wife Mary (née Moody). She attended Balmoral Hall School in Winnipeg.[2] Her father, an officer in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, was killed on active service in France in 1942. She obtained her further education at the University of Manitoba and Queen’s University in Kington.[2]

She married the duke, then Marquess of Graham, on 31 January 1970.[3] She immediately became Marchioness of Graham, and in 1992, when her husband inherited his father's title, she became Duchess of Montrose.

They have three children:

• Lady Hermione Elizabeth Graham (born 20 July 1971), who married Christopher John Thornhill
• James Alexander Norman Graham, Marquess of Graham (born 16 August 1973), who married Cecilia Manfredi
• Lord Ronald John Christopher Graham (born 13 October 1975), who married Florence Mary Arbuthnott

Following their marriage, Lady Montrose and her husband moved permanently to Scotland, where they lived at Auchmar House near Loch Lomond.[4]

After the establishment of the Preshal Trust, a charity based in Govan, the duchess became one of its leading supporters.[2]

The duchess died, aged 79, at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland.