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Betty Thatcher (Betty Newsinger) Has Passed Away

We have confirmed the reports that Betty Thatcher has passed away from cancer on Monday August 15.

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Permalink Reply by Jean-Luc on August 16, 2011 at 11:58am

The last message she left on her YouTube page:

BettyNewsinger (2 weeks ago)

Hi everyone. I've just been diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm pretty ill and in bed most of the time, so I may or may not be able to answer your messages. Love to you all love betty

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Permalink Reply by Esa on August 16, 2011 at 4:19pm

Michael Dunford's eulogy

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Permalink Reply by Jean-Luc on August 16, 2011 at 4:50pm

Message on Renaissant website:

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that my dear friend and co writer Betty (Thatcher) Newsinger has passed away. She slipped away peacfully yesterday at 2.00pm.
A wonderful person with a unique talent, she will be greatly missed.

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Permalink Reply by Jean-Luc on August 17, 2011 at 7:13am

First message Jon Camp ever wrote on his Facebook profile.

Jon Camp:

Such sadness at the passing of Betty Thatcher A true visionary and a beautiful

person The world will be a sadder place without her May she Rest In Peace

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Permalink Reply by Jean-Luc on August 17, 2011 at 7:41am

One of the few songs Betty wrote outside the universe of Renaissance. This is Don Airey (Deep Purple, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Whitesnake, Colosseum II, Sinner, Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Rainbow...) on his solo album K2 in 1988. Gary Moore plays guitar and Chris Thompson sings.

But who makes the backing vocals?

Song for Al - lyrics:

Now all that you are frozen in time
Spirit of all horizons that you climbed

And all that you herd once borne on our soul
Once part of you now shared between us all

Love never dies over the same
You are the hope that will remain
The life you lived uncharmed

And all that you touched shines with your soul
Spirit of man that lives within us all

So love never dies you are at peace
Your spirit flies your love has been released

All of this (except "man") could be sung for herself.