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Family raise a glass to Patsy

Peter Devine
28/12/2005

THE family of the late MP Patsy Calton is trying hard to put the tragedy of her death in May behind them and moving on in a dignified and determined manner with which she would have approved.

Husband Clive's aim is to 'keep busy' working for the new Cheadle MP Mark Hunter and helping to run the local Lib-Dem office.

He said: "Since Patsy's death and more recently, we have had lots of support from friends and colleagues at Westminster and also from local people to help us get through.

"I feel her loss more than anything when I walk in the garden because it was one of the things that gave her the greatest pleasure, apart from grandaughter Bethany.

"Myself and Patsy were very similar in that we never dwelt in the past but always in going forward.

"And now that she has gone, you just get on with living."

Speaking before the Christmas festivities, Clive said the family planned to continue their tradition of gathering at his home in Bramhall.

He said: "It's great that they all live close and I know Patsy would want to know that we are carrying on just as before."

However, Clive admitted that when it came to doing festive shopping this year, his heart just wasn't in it.

"Unfortunately, I have never been much of a shopper because I tend to go into a shop for a pair of trousers and then leave.

"Patsy did most of the festive shopping and now my daughter, Catherine, who lives at home, has taken over because she is much better at it than I am."

Clive's thoughts turned back to his late wife when he added: "People have said what a brave woman she was.

"But, above all, she was a supremely determined woman - and the family will definitely raise a toast to her."