Joanna Strathdee

Joanna Strathdee (27 December 1954 – 23 August 2015) was a Scottish National Party politician and a councillor on Aberdeenshire Council for the Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford ward. From 2007 to 2012, she served as the SNP Group Leader.

Early life Strathdee was born in Keith, Scotland, and attended Rothiemay Primary School followed by Keith Grammar School.

Political career In 1999, she was elected to Aberdeenshire Council.

Strathdee retained her seat in the 2012 Scottish local elections, taking the second seat and exceeding the quota with 830 first preferences. However, she was unable to bring in a running mate with her. Following the election on 8 May 2012 her party colleague, Cllr Rob Merson, was elected as Leader of the enlarged SNP group in place of Strathdee. However, within an hour of this happening Merson resigned and Strathdee was reinstated. In July 2012, Hamish Vernal replaced her as leader of the SNP group as they formed a shadow Aberdeenshire council administration.

Death Strathdee died on 23 August 2015 having been diagnosed five years previously with primary peritoneal cancer, a type of ovarian cancer.