Obituary; Pat Whittle, founder member of Boston Operatic Society

It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of Pat Whittle at a grand old age.

Pat came to Boston as a young woman in the 1950s with her husband Ken, who had been appointed as a maths teacher at Boston Grammar School. Pat was a nurse in the old tradition, trained at one of the best nursing schools in the world, St. Barts in London, and she brought her high standards to Boston General Hospital and later the Pilgrim Hospital, where she was placed as the nurse in charge of Outpatients when it first opened.

She joined Boston Choral Society, which was then about 100 strong, and with her fine true alto voice became a soloist in their concerts and recitals, and in oratorio around the area. The Choral Society at the time was holding fundraising semi-staged concerts of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, in which Pat featured, and a section of the Choral Society formed the idea to resurrect the old Boston Operatic Society, which had been defunct since the war.  Despite some opposition from the Choral Society, this happened in 1964.

The first performances took place at the old Regal Cinema on West Street, Boston (caravans were parked in the car park behind to be used as dressing rooms). But when Blackfriars Theatre opened in 1966, the “Operatics” as it was known, quickly adopted it as their home base and became closely associated with it.

Pat and Ken had been active in the campaign to turn the ruins of Blackfriars Friary into a little theatre, and Pat was proud of the fact that they had rolled up their sleeves, helping to clear the site of brambles and rubble, and pouring concrete. She would proudly describe the fundraising balls and events that were held.

Pat served as a committee member on Boston Operatic Society from 1964 to 1999, some 35 years, and was chairman twice. After her retirement from the committee, she was made Life President.

As well as appearing on stage, she successfully directed several shows and concerts including Perchance to Dream, The Pirates of Penzance and her proudest moment, Oliver! in 1998, which won the NODA East of England Regional Award for that year. Oliver was famous among the members at that time because, although Pat was kindness epitomised, she could put on a very stern face. The copious “orphans” were schooled to fall silent in rehearsals as soon as Pat blew a referee’s football whistle that she had borrowed from Ken! 25 years on, I still meet former orphans who remember that clearly.

I believe that her last appearance on Blackfriar’s stage was as Grandma Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, another award-winning production.

Pat was a generous woman who would encourage younger members and musicians whether in the chorus, as principals, or as directors, and she loved Boston Operatic Society and Blackfriars Theatre.

She is survived by her husband Ken, and their two children.