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Tribute from Jeane Freeman's 'soulmate' at memorial service

Catherine LystBBC Scotland
News imagePA Media Hands holding an order of service which has a photo of Jeane Freeman on the frontPA Media
The thanksgiving service for Jeane Freeman was held after a private cremation

Dozens of politicians and public figures have attended a memorial service for former health secretary Jeane Freeman.

A thanksgiving service followed the private cremation of the 72-year-old who died on 7 February, just 25 days after being diagnosed with cancer.

The public ceremony, which was streamed online, took place at the University of Glasgow's Bute Hall.

Her "soulmate" and partner of 25 years, Susan Stewart, paid tribute to her during the service and thanked the NHS staff who had treated her.

In an emotional address, she said: "I was so fortunate to have Jeane's love for 25 years," and urged people to do their "bucket lists" when they could.

The couple had planned to begin the year with a holiday of a lifetime trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, but in January Freeman was given the news that she had inoperable cancer.

News imagePA Media Susan Stewart has short, grey hair and glasses. She is wearing a grey dress with a burgundy pattern on it and a black jacket over the top. She is smiling at a man who has his back to the camera. There are other mourners behind her.PA Media
Jeane Freeman's partner Susan Stewart was among those attending the thanksgiving service

Stewart said Freeman would have been "hugely gratified" at the turnout at the service.

She said the NHS staff's "care, professionalism, welcome candour and kindness" were "utterly exceptional".

"Jeane had the highest regard for our NHS staff and they deserve all our gratitude and they also deserve to be listened to," she said.

She said the last 25 days they had together were full of "love, tears and lots of laughter".

"It's important to take time for the fun things and the people you love," she said. "Don't put them off because you really never know what the next day will bring."

Stewart said they were both "news junkies" and she really missed "having a rant and a giggle with her".

News imageGetty Images Jeane Freeman in green dress jacket, walks along a corridor in the Scottish Parliament. She has medium-length dark hair.Getty Images
Jeane Freeman died earlier this month, 25 days after being diagnosed with cancer

Close friend and fellow SNP politician Mike Russell gave a eulogy at the service speaking of his "dear, dear friend who brightened our lives and who we will miss as long as we, ourselves, are on this planet".

He said Freeman was "a daughter, steeped in socialism and feminism from her early days, a caring and indulging aunt, a sister and life partner of her beloved Susan, as well as a much-loved member of Susan's wider family".

"All those people are grieving greatly but they are not alone," he added. "Indeed this hall today shows how much they are supported. And by so many.

"The golden thread of care and concern about people was at the very heart of her existence.

"I am heart sick losing such a friend. I'm angry at the cancer that killed her. I'm saddened for Susan that she has lost her life partner just when they were looking forward to spending much more time together."

He added: "We need to channel our tears and distress into what she did - into making this a better world by means of personal example, by the valuing of human support, by building human-centred structures and institutions and being more willing just to join hands with others."

He finished his eulogy, which he said Freeman had read, by describing his friend of 20 years as "someone unique, someone we will never forget, our friend Jeane Freeman."

News imagePA Media John Swinney, who has a bald head and glasses, is looking at the camera. H is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie.PA Media
First Minister John Swinney was among the mourners at the service

Politicians from across the political spectrum attended the thanksgiving service, including First MinisterJohn Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Comic actor Elaine C Smith, musician Ricky Ross, authors Val McDermid and Andrew O'Hagan and former BBC journalists Brian Taylor and Sally Magnusson also attended.

News imagePA Media Elaine C Smith who has shoulder, length brown hair is wearning a pink, orange and white silk scarf and a black fluffy coat. She has a solemn look on her facePA Media
Elaine C Smith also attended the thanksgiving service

Born and raised in Ayr, Freeman had a long career in the health and social justice sectors before moving into politics, and played a pivotal role during the Covid pandemic.

After retiring from frontline politics in 2021 she enjoyed volunteering at the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow, taking round the tea trolley and talking to patients undergoing treatment.

Freeman began her career as a nurse and went on to found Apex Scotland, a charity to support the rehabilitation of offenders, which earned her an OBE for services to social justice in 1996.

She served as a special adviser to Labour first minister Jack McConnell but later became a supporter of Scottish independence, eventually joining the SNP and becoming an MSP in 2016 at the age of 62.

Her first ministerial appointment under Nicola Sturgeon saw her help establish Social Security Scotland and then, as health secretary from 2018 onwards she played a leading role in Scotland's response to Covid.

She also ordered the public inquiry into the design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of hospitals in Glasgow and Edinburgh following concerns about patient safety.

Last week, First Minister John Swinney and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led tributes to her during a motion of condolence at the Scottish Parliament.