Departed Friends

We were saddened to hear about the passing of two remarkable women earlier this year, both staunch supporters of the Cathedral Choir.

Joan Sales (14 October 1918 - 16 March 2017) was a member of Our Lady’s Young Singers (pictured), who led the singing at the 10am Mass, before going on to join the Cathedral Choir and singing for many years under Peter Smedley and then Neil Page until her retirement from the choir four years ago. In her younger days, ‘Auntie’ Joan was a keen dancer and regularly travelled to London to dance the night away to Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra. All of us who sung in the choir with Joan have very fond memories of her colourful personality. Members of the Cathedral Choir were able to attend Joan’s funeral to sing one of her favourite pieces, the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria, arranged by Ali Penge.

Margaret Allen (12 March 1940 - 9 March 2017) was a regular concert attendee at the Cathedral and known for rounding up great numbers of fellow music lovers to support our choir. Margaret had been battling with Pancreatic Cancer but was able to join us last term for our Cabaret Evening. Her passionate support for all that we do here will be greatly missed.