It's been a year since we lost Pat Southall to cancer.
The chorus sang last night at Ribbonwood Centre in Dapto at the memorial service for the Palliative Care Unit, Port Kembla Hospital.
It was very moving service for us and very significant that we were able to acknowledge our memories of our friend Pat.
Cobie and Pat had a very special relationship so it was great that Cobie was able to join us to sing and remember with us.
Anne Hsu lite a candle in Pat's memory and Stephanie spoke on behalf of the chorus.
We would like to remember Pat Southall, a beloved
member of our chorus who died 12 months ago last week.
Pat was actually in the Palliative Care unit when the last memorial service was held.
One of our members, Anne was visiting her before she came here to sing that night and she was having trouble tying her scarf.
Pat reached up from the bed to help her tie the scarf.
That's just how Pat was.
She was 'mother figure' to all of us.
She was one of those quiet achievers who always worked unassumingly behind the scenes getting things done and helping everyone else. Pat was a member of our chorus for nearly 10 years and we all have very special and fond memories of her.
We miss her smile and her quiet presence on the risers.
One of the songs that we sing is called 'Friends' and the words really reflect our friendship with Pat.
It goes like this…
…. Friends just friends, always friends, to the end – we're friends.
But we’ll keep you close as always, it won’t even seem you’re gone,
Cause friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them,
It’s hard to let you go but in the Father’s hands we know
A lifetimes not too long, it’s not too long - to live as friends…..
We miss you Pat.
