Kathleen, by Eugene du Toit

Before World War I - ninety years ago
A long time before Moira Hewitt met Joe
On the 22nd of April in 1914
Neil and Emily McGurk had a daughter Kathleen

She grew up in Joburg - she lived on the Rand
Was a popular beauty - one can well understand
Then one day as she walked down Eloff Street
Kay swept Jim Nicol right off his feet

They wed a year before World War II
Whereafter their children arrived and grew
The Nicol kids numbered eleven
Here present today we have only seven

Mike, Hazel and Denis are not here
To wish their mother on her ninetieth year
Three have left the land of their birth
They live in Calgary, Glasgow and Perth

There's another four here, by the way
Who love you - Bev, Sandra, myself and Ray
We thank you for Kevin, Alan, Sheilagh and Pat
Were it not for you, we would not here have sat

Brian is your guardian, the youngest is Mark
We're gathered today round our great matriarch
Your spouse and two sons have since passed away
But Jim, Anthony and Barry are here too today...

Now you're surrounded like a radiant queen
We've brothers Terence, Gerald. Sisters Mary, Eileen.
You have 15 grandchildren. 6 are absent I fear.
But each one admires you - that's perfectly clear.

Besides brothers Patrick and Desmond my dear,
We'll celebrate ninety and consume lots of beer
In 2014 the French, Irish and Dutch
Hope to meet you for your 100th - cause we love you so much.

by Eugene du Toit