A musical send-off for Mary

MUSIC loving Mary Garrett was laid to rest to the strains of her favourite song, Danny Boy, after dementia charity Lost Chord fulfilled one final musical request.When officials of Lost Chord heard that one of its keenest supporters had died, its musicians

MUSIC loving Mary Garrett was laid to rest to the strains of her favourite song, Danny Boy, after dementia charity Lost Chord fulfilled one final musical request.

When officials of Lost Chord heard that one of its keenest supporters had died, its musicians were more than happy to arrange the special musical tribute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mary, of Dinnington, had spent her final years in one of the residential homes that was regularly visited by the charity which provides interactive musical experiences for dementia sufferers.

Mary often spoke to her family of how much she enjoyed the sessions and really appreciated the music.

So when Lost Chord chief executive and High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Helena Muller was asked if Lost Chord musicians could play at Mary's funeral, she immediately said ‘yes.’

"We were delighted to be asked and managed to re-arrange our day so that Rebecca Watson, the soprano working on the scheme, was able to perform in Sheffield that morning and while travelling to Mexborough for a performance in the afternoon, she stopped off at Dinnington to sing Danny Boy, Mary's favourite song, as the coffin was being carried out of the church," Helena said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rebecca added: "I remember Mary well. She was always terribly excited when we arrived each month and so enthusiastic about the music. It was such a privilege to sing Danny Boy at her funeral."

q Rebecca and tenor Gary Glaysher will be performing songs from the Phantom of the Opera at Lost Chord Firework Ball being held at Whirlowbrook Hall, Sheffield, tonight (6) to raise  funds for Lost Chord.

They are giving their services free to help raise as much as possible for dementia sufferers in the area.

There are a few tickets still available for the evening. Contact Helena Muller on 0779 0649 305 for further details.