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Kathy Secker
1945-2015
Kathy Secker, who died just before Christmas, would be deeply embarrassed to hear me calling her a broadcasting goddess but that’s exactly what she was. She had the knack - shamefully rare in tv and radio broadcasters - of making viewers and listeners feel important, valued and even loved. She didn’t talk at us; she engaged us in conversation, listened to us and responded like a best friend.
And these are not just empty and predictable eulogising platitudes. This is how Kathy was, in private as well as in public. It’s a shame that charisma like hers cannot be emulated or learned; it has to come naturally, and it did.
I have just attended her funeral and left wishing I had known her much better than I did.
This is the verse her daughter chose to recite for us there. It was written by Joyce Grenfell.
'If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.'
And these are not just empty and predictable eulogising platitudes. This is how Kathy was, in private as well as in public. It’s a shame that charisma like hers cannot be emulated or learned; it has to come naturally, and it did.
I have just attended her funeral and left wishing I had known her much better than I did.
This is the verse her daughter chose to recite for us there. It was written by Joyce Grenfell.
'If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.'
3 comments:
Lovely words Ian and how apt the Joyce Grenfell verse. I was always a bit in awe of how glamorous and gracious she was, but equally remember how in the newsroom she was lovely to everyone, never grand and had a great sense of humour. "Life goes on, so sing as well". Go well, Kathy.
Hi All - I'm passing on a message from Ian, who sends greetings to everyone. He is in good spirits in hospital having had a stroke on New Years Day. He is having good treatment and is hoping to be home on Thursday (14 January) and back online (his main gripe is that there is no wi-fi at the hospital!)Paul is visiting him regularly and will pass on any messages or comments you want to post here.
Natasha x
Please pass on my love and best wishes to Ian for a speedy recovery xx
I haven't posted in a while but still pop in. So I look forward to reading Ian's New Year message from the Truckshunters equivalent of the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.
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