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Farewell To A Friend - Kay Macara, Funeral Arrangements

Written by Samantha Fields

Some of you may have already heard the news, but it is with great regret that I have to report the death of Kay Macara, who passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon,15th October,after a long and gallant battle with cancer. She was a vivacious character and a friend to everyone: She touched the lives of many of us in the Society since her "escape" from Derbyshire some 14 years ago. I am certain that she will be remembered with great affection and very sadly missed by us all.

Her funeral will be held on Friday 22nd October. There will be a small private cremation in the morning (as per Kay’s wishes) and then we hope you can join us at Christ Church URC, 46 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG at 2pm. There isn’t much parking at the church so I would recommend parking at the railway station car park, nearby (Station Road, Henley, RG9 1AY).

There will then be a reception for Kay nearby at Phyllis Court Club, Marlow Road, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2HT between 3pm to 5pm to which you are very welcome. At Phyllis Court, you can park in the Visitors Car Park and enter via the main entrance of the Club to the Ballroom, via the main lounge. Reynolds, the Club car park attendant will be on hand to direct you to the main house (right up Kay’s street!).

Kay asked that there be “no black clothes, lots of colour and smiles please. It has to be fun, please make jokes about me or against me I don’t want to stop people making me laugh just because I’m dead”. Kim and I had spent the last few years in a futile attempt to persuade Kay to dress in a calm palette. A splash of purple, if possible would represent her fighting spirit and the victory of her sense of fun over everything else thrown at her.

Kay didn’t like funereal flowers, wreaths, chrysanthemums or carnations. She asked instead that “if anyone would like to make a donation I would love it to go to Nazareth House for children with Aids in Cape Town. I would love to have gone there myself but couldn’t tear myself away from my lovely family for so long”.

You can donate in two ways; there will be a collection bowl in the church which will be directed to the charity or else you can donate online at http://www.nazhouse.org.za/give.asp. The website will also give you some information on Nazareth House.
Guy Rockingham

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Happy memories
written by Ann Blurton-Granger, November 23, 2010

I came accross this announement by chance this afternoon (23/11/2010) and was so sorry to hear this news. I first met Kay at Parkfields Cedars school in Derby, in 1958 when we were both 11. We became "best friends" throughout the next few years, I could tell some stories!!!! We had a wonderful holiday together with Kay's parents at Butlins in Bognor Regis, in 1961.
Kay was my bridesmaid at my wedding in 1966.
We lost touch over the years, but exchanged e mails a couple of years ago.
It sounds as if her sunny character was with her to the end, and I am so sad to hear this news.
I shall always remember the good times we had.

happy memories as well
written by Eileen Peers, November 23, 2010

I am shocked and saddened to hear that Kay has died. I was 'best friends' with Kay and Ann Burton-Granger as she is now when I went to Parkfield Cedars in 1958 when I was 11.There are some stories to tell...when we were 12 and 13 years old...She invented my 'Mavi' nickname which stuck for years! we also lost touch although we spoke on the telephone just after her separation from Mac. I am ashamed to say that I never made the time to meet up and having a busy life is no excuse. And I regret it more than I can say. She was outrageous when we were all out together plotting and planning and such good fun and we laughed so much. I am so sad about this.