I recently received this email from Rafe with permission to post it here, with the added note, “I will be pleased to see it circulate.”
~ ~ ~
Kilmeny Niland, spouse of Rafe Champion and webmistress of the Rathouse passed away last week after a lingering illness.
The funeral service will be held at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium
199 Delhi Road
North Ryde (Sydney)in the South Chapel
at 10.00 am
Wednesday 4th March
A eulogy will be delivered by Mr Paul Delprat, the principal of the Julian Ashton Art School.
In a few weeks an exhibition of Kilmeny’s work and a celebration of her life will be held at the Julian Ashton Art School at Middle Head, with a picnic/barbeque in the adjacent park overlooking the harbour. This was one of Kilmeny’s favorite places. The date and time will be announced on her website.
http://www.kilmenyniland.comAll friends and admirers are welcome!
Rafe Champion
~ ~ ~
UPDATE: More from Rafe, again with permission to publish here:
Kilmeny with Hugh, Leo, Thomas and Paddy. (Courtesy of Rafe Champion)
Kilmeny and Rafe (courtesy Rafe Champion)
.
**Previous post, with links to some touching tributes: Very Sad News
.
March 3, 2009, 10:54 pm at 10:54 pm
Again, Rafe, you and your family are in my family’s thoughts and prayers. I am just so very sorry.
Do you know, I only just realised after perusing her website that some of the much-loved children’s books I’ve sent to my US nieces were illustrated by your wife? (My American family & friends LOVE Australian children’s books). “Wishbone” and “An Australian Alphabet” (I think that’s the title?) are firm family favourites. What an exceptionally talented woman you managed to catch yourself.
I wish there were some way I could be at the service and especially at the exhibition of Kilmeny’s work and the celebration of her life, but at the moment that looks like a long shot. But rest assured we’ll be thinking of you all.
Warmest regards,
Gordon.
March 4, 2009, 1:16 am at 1:16 am
[...] on Very sad news.spot_the_dog on A Note from Rafe Champion…nilk ;A Note from [...]
March 6, 2009, 11:08 am at 11:08 am
[...] of the funeral and a planned art exhibition are available here. This entry was written by skepticlawyer, posted on at 6:17 am, filed under Art, Blogging, [...]
March 12, 2009, 2:26 pm at 2:26 pm
As a youth I acquired my first piece of artwork at an exhibition at the newly opened Willoughby Civic Centre in about 1972 .It is a small whimsical portrait called “girl with red hair” which I have always loved and which has always been above my home desk. My wife and I now have many pieces of art, however this remains my favourite – my first.
I am very saddened to hear of Kilmeny’s passing. Like me, many people have been delighted by her works – she will in that sense live and give joy to the world for ever.
Thank you Kilmeny – I wish we had met in life.
I offer my sincere condolences to all of Kilmeny’s family and friends.
Steve Montgomery
May 5, 2009, 10:54 pm at 10:54 pm
[...] A Note from Rafe Champion [...]
July 6, 2009, 3:56 am at 3:56 am
sorry to hear about the passing of Kilmeny. A sad loss.
Eugene Niland, a distant cousin in Ireland, passed away shorly after Kilmeny on the 24th March 2009, aged 31. Lymphoma.