Christine Tulloch loses battle against cancer

She succumbed after a brave fight at St Columba’s Hospice on Friday 18th July 2008 at the age of 57.

When Faulds closed its doors she took a much lower profile in the industry and was diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2004.

However, using her marketing skills and her enthusiasm and drive she went on to co-found the charity BoobyBirds, which raised some £420,000 for cancer charities earlier this year.

A service will take place at Warriston Crematorium, Lorimer Chapel on Friday 25th July at 11.15am. Donations to St Columba’s Hospice are being invited.

News International's Scottish MD Steven Walker knew Christine from his days as a sales rep and remembers her with affection: "My memories of Christine are as a wet behind the ears sales rep waiting nervously in Faulds reception to be called into her office for a grilling on whatever it was I wanted her clients to buy.

"Her reputation as a fierce negotiator was well deserved and if you had not done your preparation well enough you would find your pitch in tatters in a matter of minutes. She would then patiently tell you where you had gone wrong and help you become more professional in the future. Meetings with Christine were some of the best training sessions I ever had.

"As my career progressed in newspapers I found Christine to be a great touchstone to gauge the mood and direction of the industry in Scotland.

Such was her level of knowledge, experience and professionalism that I would never think about launching a new section or supplement without getting her opinion on it first.

"Christine was also great fun and always up for a laugh. I remember talking her into getting into a helicopter to fly up to St Andrews for lunch along with Stephen Tait and Sarah McLean. She was extremely nervous about the flight but gamely got on board the flimsy helicopter (we made her sit in the front.) She soon overcame her fear as we skipped along the Fife coastline at 150 miles an hour 500 feet from the ground. After lunch she couldn't wait to get back on board and asked the pilot to take us the long way round back to Edinburgh.

"As recently as six months ago I bumped into her in Edinburgh while she was on a shopping spree. She looked great and was full of chat. Although I was aware of her illness she never mentioned it and was clearly putting up a brave fight. Christine will be sorely missed but often remembered."

Ian McAteer, who worked with Christine at Faulds remembers her fondly: “I first met Christine in 1992 when she was Media Director of Faulds and I moved back to Scotland. I know that Christine was hired by Jim to build a media department, and she did this very successfully, building one of the biggest media buying points in Scotland, with billings over £40 million. A great deal of Faulds' success, and profit, was actually down to the media buying operation and Christine can take credit for this. She built a great department with Robin Jack and Sarah McLean as her two very able deputies. Her staff were all very loyal and fond of her - she was a respected leader.

“Between 1992 and 1996 Faulds tripled in size and I remember doing numerous pitches with Christine. She was a lively, bubbly and fun person to work with, but she also had a fiercely ambitious and professional streak, which is to her credit. I always enjoyed working with her - she was a great team player.

“I was very sorry to hear of her illness and the sad news of her passing away. I know from friends that she has had a tough four years but that she was amazingly positive throughout. She will be remembered as one of the key players in the most successful agencies Scotland has seen and badly missed.”

If you wish to leave your thoughts and memories of Christine’s colourful character and career please do so below.