Andre Rieu - South Australia Friendship Group - April, 2010
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AR FRIENDSHIP GROUP, APRIL, 2010
OBITUARY - James Richard Hale - written with the permission of his
widow Pam
In the past few years, with my involvement in promoting André, I have
come across so many people, young /old, rich/ poor, infirmed and ill,
the fit and well.
Some people I have met, have been quickly forgotten, others have left
an indelible mark on my life; the type of person you are glad you'd
had the chance to meet and get to know.
One such a person was Jim Hale. Jim took ill just before the Melbourne
concert last year and as he and wife Pam were unable to use the
tickets, they asked me to try and sell them for them. Unfortunately, I
wasn't able to do so, so at Pam's request, I sent them over to
Melbourne to a charity of her choice, for the staff to raffle off
between them and the money raised, then donated to their cause. Even
going through some pretty awful times, Pam was still thinking of others.
Just before Christmas last year, the illness was diagnosed as terminal
and not knowing how much special time they had left, they decided that
this year they would do as many things as possible; things they'd
talked about, but never got around to, including overseas travel and
even a hope of attending one of André's concerts in Maastricht.
Unfortunately, sadly, Jim lost his battle last Saturday week ago. A private
family funeral was held on Wednesday 31st March. His
favourite André piece "Second Waltz" was played.
I ask you to say a quiet prayer for Jim, as he was, indeed, a part of our extended Rieu family in Sth Australia. As Pam struggles to cope with the loss of her beloved
husband, I hope you will all embrace her with a quiet, distant hug
Pam, Jim was a lovely man, who lived life to it's fullest, with you
there by his side. You and the family will miss him dreadfully, but at
least now, he is finally at rest, without pain. Please take solace in
the knowledge, that many, many people from the extended Rieu family
are with you all, in our thoughts, prayers and with plenty of hugs.
Farewell Jim. The pain has passed, may you now rest in eternal peace.
Pam, we are as close as a phone or a keyboard any time, any day. It's
time to take out some 'you time' now. Sit in your favourite chair, put
your feet up, a cold glass of wine in hand and André playing quietly
in the background. Good luck dear friend.
GOOD NEWS
It is with pleasure, that I can finally announce that the elusive
tapestry is now in the hands of André. Kerstin rang Margaret Sims a
few days ago and confirmed that it had indeed arrived safely and it
has been passed onto the Maestro. It's been a long, uncertain journey,
but has finished on a happy note.
I'm sure Margaret would like me to, on her behalf, say "thank you" to
Kerstin, for the confirmation phone call and at long last, peace of
mind and also the Entertainment Centre for all the help and
encouragement they have given Margaret, throughout this trying time.
Thank you all.
PICNIC
To the members of the Friendship Group, a final reminder of next
Sunday 11th April's ] picnic at Para Wirra Recreational Park from 12.30. Don't
forget to meet at Terry's cottage. Could any members meeting at the
Directors at 11am, please let me know, so we'll have some idea of what
numbers we should be waiting for.
Hopefully we will see most of you there.
Anyone is welcome and if you would like to join us, contact me on
either 82932003 or lyndall.freeman@bigpond.com
Love
Lyndall and Robert
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