Another voice here, to send our love to all the Makem Family, kinfolks and friends. So many memories we have of him,- George and I when we first went to Ireland and visited his family in Keady- and heard Sarah Makem singing, "As I Roved Out On a May Mornin, On a May mornin right early- I met my love upon the way, she sang so sweet and clearly..." for the first time, as she made the tea for her family and for us. An evening of marvelous music followed, neighbors from all over Keady dropping in, with instruments, songs, ready for what they knew would be a fine party. Tommy always remembered that evening when he played the whistle and sang the only song he knew at that time when he was seventeen,- "Nell Flaharty's Drake." and laughed about it when he gave an interview for me, years later.

I wish that we could have seen him more often, but we do treasure those memories we have, and wish for you all, strength, courage and the joy of your own treasured memories to carry you through this time of parting. My feeling is that Death is a part of Life, and that the parting will not be forever.

Joy and blessings,    Jean Ritchie