Letters & Stories
Extract from the Morning Star
PARISH PEOPLE by Eileen Mary Kay – Dec/Jan 1992/93 Issue
Eileen’s parents were married at St Bede’s. She was baptised here, and prepared for Confirmation here. She married “Putty” Kay at St Bede’s in 1941, and their son, Brian, was baptised here. It’s hard to imagine anyone with as long a link with the parish. These days, Eileen is a regular worshipper at the Wednesday morning service. She provides the Earl Grey tea bags for our Cuppa, and always has a new joke to tell. “I used to be a lady. Now that I’m an old lady, I’m not so lady-like anymore” explains Eileen with a wicked sparkle in her eye as she begins another of her “stories”. Eileen lives in a lovely home unit at Grange and tends her flowers and plants with plenty of tender loving care.
She has always loved flowers, and for many years was involved in arranging floral displays for Sunday Services. She has been a keen contributor to Flower Festivals, not only with floral art, but also on the organ stool. For music has been and continues to be, one of the great pleasures of life. For over 20 years, Eileen has played the piano at St Margaret’s Hospital for Sunday Services, and as well her musical skills have entertained many in local nursing homes. In spite of her arthritic fingers, Eileen can still conjure magical music from the piano.
Her favourite composer? There’s not a moments pause as she begins to extol the virtues of Puccini, “my first and greatest musical love”. And she has a special fondness for the handsome tenor, Placido Domingo. Eileen likes to think that her greatest contribution to the parish was her work in preparing and decorating the Centenary cake for the celebrations in 1979. But others of us know her greatest gift is a continuing love for God and all his people in this place.