Writing about Alzheimer's disease yesterday brought to mind the death of Prunella Scales this week. She was a wonderful actress (Sybil Fawlty amazed me) but she has had Alzheimer's for many years. The courage shown by her and Timothy West, her late husband, when they spoke publicly about that terrible disease has been stunning.
She and Timothy West were married over sixty years until he sadly predeceased her not quite a year ago, having cared for her for many years. He'd noticed that something wasn't quite right as early as 2001.
She was a wonderful narrator of audiobooks. Her reading of "Cranford" has long been one of my favourite bedtime stories. She had just the right voice to read E F Benson's "Mapp and Lucia" books and I also enjoyed her renditions of some of the "Fairacres" stories by Miss Read. I'm so glad that I will be able to continue to listen to her gentle but wonderfully clear voice.
I am sorry, but, I have not heard of her. I'm glad you will be able to continue to listen to her reading even though she has passed away.
ReplyDeleteShe was a very popular comedy actress here but she retired many years ago. She was best known as a rather batty lady called Sybil Fawlty married to an even more batty Basil Fawlty played by John Cleese.
DeleteThe gentle way Timothy West looked after her on those canal journeys was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt was. They were a truly wonderful example.
DeleteHalf way through "All Creatures Great And Small" last night, I said "I know this was filmed months ago, but every time Sam West comes in I just think 'that poor man has just lost his lovely Mum' "
ReplyDeleteThe biggest wonder of our world is we can listen to people who are no longer with us.
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