Family remembers Arlene

Arlene Fraser with her first born Jamie

By Arlene's mother, Isabelle Thomson and her husband Bill; her father, Hector McInnes and his wife Cathy; her sister Carol Gillies and her husband Steve.

Arlene was born in Elgin on 18 August, 1964, the second daughter of Isabelle and Naval aircraft mechanic Hector McInnes.

He was posted to Malta in March 1966 when Arlene was a toddler, and after spending 15 months abroad the family returned to Elgin in May 1967.

They settled in South Lesmurdie and Arlene attended the East End Primary School from August 1969.

Arlene Fraser: The tomboy

After the separation of Arlene's parents in 1971, her father was posted to Cornwall.

But Arlene continued to keep in contact with her father and many happy holidays were spent in Cornwall and at her grandparents' house in Edinburgh.

She was a tomboyish schoolgirl who shared her mother's love of horse riding.

At the age of 11, Arlene progressed to Elgin Academy. Typical teenage behaviour soon emerged, there were many rebellious spells and times when she hated school, often playing truant.

And clashes of personality between Arlene and her sister Carol were a daily occurrence.

She left school at the age of 16 with no particular academic ambitions or achievements.

Arlene Fraser on her wedding day

However, Arlene announced she was returning to further education and had enrolled on a two-year business course in 1997.

When Arlene left school she was employed in various short-term positions.

Her main permanent employment was in a boutique in Elgin called the Time Machine.

This was a job which suited her well, as her main interest at this age was shopping, clothes, make-up and keep fit.

There were only a couple of steady boyfriends before Arlene met Nat Fraser in 1985.

They got engaged in September 1986 and married on 9 May, 1987.

Jamie was born in 1987. Arlene was besotted with her son and in time became a very relaxed mother.

Arlene Fraser: Fashion conscious

Jamie was dressed in the trendiest of clothes and Arlene adapted to the role of full time mother with considerable ease.

Natalie was born five years later in 1992.

Withstanding pregnancy, Arlene regained her figure and always looked good, make-up done and always up-to-date with the newest of fashions, the tomboyish look long gone.

She settled into a life of routine, and started child-minding other children in the summer.

Jamie and Natalie were enrolled in various activities and clubs.

Arlene enjoyed driving and would happily take Jamie to Aberdeen on many an occasion to participate in swimming galas.

As Natalie loved to sing and dance Arlene enrolled her in the Majorettes. Arlene was very content to build her life around the kids.