Susan, Countess of Leven and Melville 1933-2022

 Susan, Countess of Leven and Melville, widow of the 16th Earl of Leven and [13th] of Melville, died 8 October, 2022. She was 89.

The Countess was born Susan Steuart Menzies, 30 March, 1933, elder daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Steuart Menzies [1884-1961], late the Scots Guards, Chief of the Clan Menzies, of Arndilly House, Craigellachie, Banffshire, by his wife the former Sybil Mary Willoughby Boulton.

Susan Steuart Menzies married 30 Apr, 1953, Alexander Robert Leslie-Melville, 15th Earl of Leven [Peerage of Scotland, cr 1641], and 13th Earl of Melville [also Peerage of Scotland, cr 1690], whose other titles include Viscount of Kirkaldie [Scot, 1690], Lord Melville of Monymaill [Scot, 1616], Lord Balgonie [Scot, 1641], and Lord Raith, Monymaill and Balwearie [Scot, 1690]. Her husband, born 13 May, 1924, & succeeded his father in the family honours, and 15 January, 1947. 

Lord Leven and Melville was ADC to Governor-General of New Zealand 1951-52; Lord Lieutenant of Nairn from 1969; Chairman, Nairn County Council 1970-74; Chairman of Governors, Gordonstoun School 1971-89; President, British Ski Federation 1981-85, &c. He died 7 April, 2012.

Susan, Countess of Leven & Melville leaves issue, a son, the Hon Archibald Leslie-Melville [born 15 September, 1957], and a daughter, Lady Jane Hudson [born 5 May, 1956]. She was predeceased by her elder son, David, styled Lord Balgonie [born 26 January, 1954], who died, killed in a skiing accident near Verbier, 14 February, 2007.

Her grandson, Alexander [born 29 Nov, 1984], is the 17th Earl of Leven & 14th Earl of Melville.

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