Gill Ward reports that ‘recently many of us lost a much loved, andmired and respected friend.’

Kath Clapcott died a few weeks after her cancer diagnosis. Her funeral memorial service was beautiful and we all found out different parts of Kath’s life. Her family told stories of how she met Don, her husband, and their love for their parents was obvious.

Humorous stories from a busy life

There were humorous stories and much about the busy life Kath had lived. Don, being in banking, meant they had moved frequently but one of their best places to live had been in Kapiti so here they came on retirement.

Among her working  positions Kath had held were teaching and dental nursing! She had been involved in community activities everywhere she lived. Kath was 86 when she died and a group of 6 of her classmates stood at the front and told some stories of their time at school together. Wonderful!

Kath was also a writer, her poetry was faultless; it hit every mark of what a good poem should be. She knew she was dying and would demand paper and pencil from her bed (as she said): ‘Quickly, I need to write this poem before I am dead.’ What an inspiration!

With the poetry course for 15 years — ‘we loved her’

Kath came to our U3A NZ Poets and Poetry course for 15 years. We loved her. She was an asset to our group.

Her knowledge and intelligence was generously shared – and also her wicked sense of humour! Our love and sympathy go out to her children, grandchildren and her very dear husband.

Here is the poem I wrote for Kath and read at her funeral.- —

Poem for Kath, with love

‘Here, at this unexpected gathering

we all have a picture of you in

our minds, Kath, glimpses of

how you were and when we were last with you.

Words we spoke together

laughs we had, and affection we shared.

All our memories different but some how

all the same.  It’s all about you but too late to

tell you the things we wish we had said.

Memories. Times we had the love and 

friendships, the sharing and fun the 

moments of understanding 

We are sending them your way now.

For me, you with the biscuits, you insisting we

put a bowl out for coins, you with your

knowledge and love of literature and

contributions to the poetry analysis and discussions.

Your very wicked sense of humour.

When you left to spend more time with Don,

you said there would be a space for someone else.

Kath, there is no empty chair

but there is a very big space’