A WOMAN who died after a car crash on a busy north-east road had been travelling to spend Christmas Day with her new granddaughter.
Catherine Cordiner was driving to Oldmeldrum to visit her son Jonathan and his baby daughter Charlotte when she was involved in the horrific accident.
It was the second Christmas tragedy to hit the family in three years – following the death of Mr Cordiner’s first child Kayleigh who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour on Boxing Day in 2011. The toddler died just six months later.
This Christmas was going to be particularly poignant for the family after Mr Cordiner’s wife Anna gave birth again earlier this year.
As Mrs Cordiner – who was known as Rena – travelled on the Huntly to Glens of Foudland stretch of the A96 she was involved in a crash with another vehicle near Bainshole.
The 65-year-old was airlifted by an RAF search and rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where her family kept vigil by her side. Yesterday, police confirmed that Mrs Cordiner died from her injuries on Boxing Day.
A 58-year-old man who was in the other vehicle involved in the smash was also taken to hospital, where he was treated for a broken collar bone and other minor injuries.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the Christmas Eve crash to come forward.
Inspector Ewan Innes, who is leading the investigation, said: “There would have been numerous motorists in the area at the time that may have seen something. I would appeal to them to come forward.
“We would be keen to speak to anyone who saw the collision.”
Mrs Cordiner, who lived at Lossiemouth, is survived by her sons Jonathan and Stephen, her daughter-in-law Anna and her grand daughter Charlotte.
The pensioner’s husband Peter died in May 2011 after battling cancer.
The Cordiner family were left devastated when toddler Kayleigh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called ATRT after being admitted to hospital on Boxing Day 2011.
Despite undergoing major brain surgery in Glasgow, her parents, who are both primary school teachers, were told the cancer was terminal and no treatment was available.
Knowing they had only a few months left with her, they vowed to make her last days as memorable as possible.
Speaking at the time, Mrs Cordiner said they got up every day thinking: “What experience can we give her today? It would be so easy to be depressed, but that’s not what Kayleigh needs right now.
“What she needs is a mum and dad to make her last few months as special and as happy as possible – and that is what we’re trying our best to do.”
The couple praised their families for all their help and support during the most difficult time of their lives.
“We couldn’t have got through this if it wasn’t for our families,” said Mr Cordiner.
“Every time we came out of a discussion or situation in hospital, they were there waiting for us.”
The toddler died at home in June 2012.
Earlier this year, the couple spoke of their joy following the birth of Kayleigh’s little sister, Charlotte.
Mr Cordiner said her arrival had given both their families hope after their devastating loss.
Meanwhile, a woman killed in a crash on the A90 Peterhead to Fraserburgh road has been named as Mary Whyte.
The 76-year-old, from Aberdeen, died on Christmas Eve after a crash involving a Renault Clio and a Mercedes 4×4.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the smash, which happened at 3.05pm, two miles south of Fraserburgh.