Sister Drake - Bushey Hospital - 1943
Kathleen Rhys Scott (neé Drake) 22nd October1915 to 13th May 1999
On Thursday 13th May 1999 at around 10:00am, Kathy Scott suffered a massive heart attack while waiting for an ambulance to take her to St Richards Hospital at Chichester, following, what the doctor suggests, may have been a mini-stroke, earlier in the week. She did not suffer in any way and was in reasonable spirits, after we had finished making all the arrangements for Ron, when I last saw her late Wednesday afternoon. She was not alone and I thank Graham Page for being with her during those final moments.
Everyone knew her as Kathy. Born in Cambridge, Daughter of Cecilia and Francis William Drake, a Herbalist, she was a good scholar and it was in these early days she showed an interest in Nursing. I will always remember a particular story My mother told of an argument with one of her Brothers over a chocolate Easter Rabbit she had been given, apparently the Brother had taken a bite ! Her Father was asked to intervene and he concluded the arbitration by biting the rabbit’s head off !
Kathy was a Mother and a Nurse; of her own choosing, her life was dedicated to Her Ron. This did not stop her wanting to do all she could, to help other people as well. Kathy chose nursing as a career, not realising a war was about to start when she qualified as an SRN in 1938. My Mother also qualified as a Staff Midwife and there is a lovely letter of reference dated 1943. Kathy was wondering if she would have enough money when Ron’s pension finished and we recently pulled her leg about going back to work !
What else did My Mother do ? A prolific letter writer, she kept in touch with many friends made over the years, she out-lived so many of them. Kathy belonged to The Townswomen’s Guild, The WI, London Hospital League of Nurses, There was Pagham Bowls Club and the Red Cross where she became a Superintendent. Kathy helped me through School, The Cubs, Attended Church regularly, kept house and attended numerous functions with Ron, at top London Hotels, in beautiful evening gowns, She loved her garden and plants and was gifted with "green fingers"; how many have a cutting or plant taken originally from her garden ?
Then there was the driving ! My Mother was not a natural at this and whereas Ron had learnt the hard way during the war, Kathy was 40 before taking lessons; but she was determined and after some false starts, finally got a licence; then she needed a car, so it was into private nursing to pay for a Grey Ford Anglia, pictured here in August 1963. Kathy continued with nursing and became a Matron at Epsom Hospital. In 1965, she bought a brand new Maroon Mini with her earnings and I remember this cost just over £500 !
This picture, which includes me, was taken at Cynthia and Hugh’s Wedding in 1949; it was always on display at Our House. Kathy was always involved with The Church and I remember Epsom Methodist and the wonderful Reverend Leonard Barnett whom she admired so very much. Kathy retained close ties with her brothers, sisters and her Cambridge birthplace; she was delighted with the recent Boat Race result ! Poetry was another love and I particularly remember her reading me Wordsworth, " A Host of Golden Daffodils"; I am sure you know the poem I mean, Then there was, "Yesterday upon the stair, I saw a man who was not there, he was not there again today; I do so wish he would go away " !
I spent a lot of Wednesday with My Mother, we finalised all the arrangements for Ron; we chose, the Hymn; The Flowers (red, white and blue – for a patriot), she wrote the card, we chose his suit etc, I gave her a last meal and a cup of tea, she was looking a little frail, but seemed OK. I rather think she felt everything was in place for Her Ron and just decided to "Go". Kathy was devoted to Ron and he to her, I have found Love Letters to My Mother from when Ron Courted her, as Kathy said, mainly by post, because although they met in Richmond, once she had completed her training, she went back to Cambridge. I have not read these personal letters, treasured for all these years and will place them in her coffin so she takes them with her. Using the Power of Attorney, I hold for My Father, there will be a single red rose from him, on Kathy’s coffin.
Ron and Kathy were wonderful parents and friends to all who came into contact with them, they were of the "Old School" as far as relationships are concerned and it is extremely apt that there should be a joint funeral for them; neither would have wanted it any other way. I have taken the liberty of reading the start and ending of a letter Ron wrote to Kathy, which she would have received the day they were to marry………
"Within a few hours our patience and wishes will be rewarded – and our knot will be tied – not for a day but for a lifetime……….. "
The letter ends " To always remain…… Yours Ever ……… Ronnie XXXXX "
There are many letters, another is a day after My Birth, when Kathy mentions a moment of peace at 7:15am and how She looks forward to bringing me home to the nursery that Ron had worked so hard to prepare, (remember it was just post-war and materials were in short supply; I believe tea-chests and orange boxes had a lot to do with his work !); He visited her each day, while she recovered from a difficult birth, (yes, I was difficult even then !). "I am so terribly happy, loving you always – Kathleen".
There is one more letter I will mention, dated their first anniversary; "To the dearest of Husbands ……………. You know how deep my love and devotion is, Ronnie, there is so much to say , so little time in which to say it …………… yours for ever Kathleen XXXX "
So, Ron and Kathy enjoyed life together for over 50 years, they were devoted to each other, they will be pleased that all their friends and family will be there to say farewell, to them both, at the same time.
There will be a short, combined service for both Kathy and Ron, at Chichester Crematorium, at 3:30pm Thursday 20th May 1999 - Westhampnett Road Chichester (01243 787755), there are no plans for a separate Church Service, the Minister, Rev. Frank Jones (01243 863012) from St Ninians, will conduct The Crematorium Service. There will be a short (about an hour or so), reception afterwards at The Jarvis Hotel Chichester, which is almost adjacent to the Crematorium, where I will be pleased to share a drink and refreshments with all who can come. There will be some photographs and memorabilia and a chance to see friends and relatives. Should anyone wish to to stay the night, The Jarvis is very pleasant and arrangements can be made direct on 01243 786351
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Dillistone Funeral Service, 3a Arundel Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 7BY (01903 726324)
I would request that there are only Family Flowers and would prefer that any donations be made to Mrs Sue Whitehead, Secretary to The Friends of King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0BL (01730 817572). It was due to the wonderful care that Ron received at King Edward VII, that he lived more than 15 years after being treated for lung cancer. Donations, in his memory, will be gratefully received. If you wish to make any separate donations, I am sure Kathy would be pleased if the same good cause benefited.
If it is possible to let me know if you are attending the service, and the gathering afterwards, it would be helpful; please contact my office.
Please do not hesitate to call me, (Hugh), if you need any further information.
Follow this link to some interesting Scott/Drake Family Photos
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