From Graham King - Old chorister

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to our Christmas letter to your late mother. Please accept our belated sympathy in your loss.

I was a chorister at the Choir School from 1952 -1958 and so was there when Peta married Clive Pare, although my memories of the wedding are extremely hazy now. Peta brought a warm, feminine touch to the 'all boys' environment at the school, and her loving personality helped offset the necessarily somewhat austere demeanour that Clive had to adapt in his role as headmaster. My years at the Chair School were among the happiest of my life, and I am eternally grateful to the adults who so caringly contributed to our education - academic, musical and social.

I moved to the United States in 1971, and lost touch with a number of folk back home. But then my mother, now departed, somehow reconnected with Peta, and we started an annual correspondence at Christmas. She seemed to be living a full and happy life, and remarkably cogent at an advanced age! At one paint, she sent me a copy of speech that I had delivered as 'head boy' on the occasion of the christening (?) of either you or your brother - it escapes me now - full of childish puns on the titles of British newspapers.

Thank you also for the copy of the funeral service. I note the reference to the ‘Clive Pare Memorial Fund’ and will forward a contribution as soon as I can make the proper arrangements. I’m sorry I was not able to participate, in even a small way, in the tribute that your mother so richly deserved.

Sincerely,
Graham D. King