History of Clan MacMillan in Washington State

The Evergreen Chapter of Clan MacMillan

There has been an organization of Clan MacMillan in Washington State for many years.

Until her death in 2007, Careen MacMillian Faubus administered The Evergreen Chapter of Clan MacMillan.  This Chapter was organized under the California Branch and developed by Careen with assistance from the California MacMillans.

Every year, Careen waved the tartan at the two largest Scottish Highland Games in our State; The Pacific Northwest Games at Enumclaw and the Spokane Games.  She and her family were there faithfully, manning the clan tent, marching in the Parade of Clans and visiting with old friends and making new ones.  Every year the clan tent display became more colourful and more complete.  

Many of us met her at one of these Games and joined the Chapter.  We came to help her, to visit and to renew our memberships.

Careen wrote the newsletter and it was always a joy to receive the latest copy to see what everyone had been doing since the last one, to read about upcoming events and of course to try out the latest recipe.

 When her last year came to an end in the spring, her family withdrew from active participation in the Evergreen Chapter and it also came to an end at that point, as none of them were able to pass the organization along to future members.

The need to continue her efforts inspired the creation of a new organization, independent of all save Clan MacMillan itself, and history began again for Washington State.

That year the clan tent was smaller and less well furnished with the familiar photos, maps, banners and the huge Clan MacMillan badge that sat in front of the tent in recent years.

It was a new beginning, leaving behind the gains of the past at the family's request and starting a new tradition for the future.

Clan MacMillan was represented at the Enumclaw Games that year and many friends came looking for Careen.  They were saddened by the news that she would not return.

Her name was read out during the Opening Ceremony "Flowers of the Forest" tribute to MacMillans who had left us that year.

She will always be remembered as Clan MacMillan of Washington State moves forward to carry the tartan banner to new friends as well as old.

Thank you, Careen.....

 

2009 Clan MacMillan Washington State Branch