TRIBUTE FOR MARY HART – Friday 28th May, St James, Merton
 
All of us knew Mary – TPC was “her choir” – and we were delighted to be one of Mary’s passion projects.  It was typical of her that she spread the love  – and we never dared ask which one of us she loved the most!   
 
Mary supported Thames Philharmonic Choir from almost the very beginning.  Her family lived in Putney and were involved with All Saints Church in Putney.  At the time, John Bate was Organist and Choirmaster there and about 1957, aged 9, Mary joined the choir.  This in itself was a massive achievement as childhood illness had left her unable to speak and John worked with her to find both her speaking and singing voice.  
 
Fast forward twenty years later to 1977 and Mary was back in London having graduated from Leeds University and now a skilled, successful young woman and published author.  John had moved on from All Saints’ and was running a choir of his own and the choir had a stall at a big fete on Putney Common which was part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations.  Mary and her family were involved in the catering effort (magnificently I’m sure) and spotted John.  She re-introduced herself and reminded John, who had quite forgotten, how he had helped her as a young girl.  She decided there and then to repay his efforts by making a regular donation to choir funds, which were sourced from the royalties earned from a book she’d just written.   So that is how Mary first became involved with TPC. 
 
Over the years, as well as supporting us financially and at concerts, Mary baked copious supplies of cakes for our jumble sale teas and as a champion marmalade maker sent over plentiful pots of marmalade to sell for choir funds.  She was a character, a kind and warm woman - and we considered her our lucky mascot.
 
Mary and Nicholas came to all our concerts and sometimes brought other family members along too.  (Apologies if that wasn’t your thing but I’m sure you’ll have been swept up in Mary’s enthusiasm).  At the VIP hospitality table at concerts, she enjoyed chatting to everyone and she was interested in everyone.  Recently, Mary was invited to attend several of our Zoom rehearsals, socials and virtual performances.  She particularly loved the quizzes and get-togethers and we relished her involvement.   We knew Mary was not in the best of health but we had no idea that her illness was so serious.  It’s classic Mary that she didn’t tell us.
 
After each concert, Mary always took time to call John –  and since his retirement, now Harry (Bradford),  to say how much she enjoyed it - and she often phoned me too, buoyant with excitement!  It's hard to take in that she won't be there at our next audience concert.   Her energy, bonhomie and loyal support will be sorely missed by us all. 
 
Susan Mason
Thames Philharmonic Choir