Catherine Florence McKenzie Smith, a British resident of Ovacik, died of kidney failure after a long illness in the Letoon hospital on 31st March. She was 59 years old.

Cath was better known as Pixie or as Fatma to Turkish friends.

Cath and her husband Brian have lived in Ovacik for nearly 3 years and Turkey had become their home and their love.

Cath was born in Plymouth, but was brought up in Scotland before moving to Warrington when her fatherʼs work moved there. She eventually moved to Basingstoke where she met Brian in 1985. After a long courtship they married in June 1998.

They had been coming to this part of Turkey for their holidays since 1985 but 3 years ago Brian was made redundant and Pixie suggested that they move here and make Ovacik their home.

Their landlord, Turkut and his family have become not just close friends but to Brian and Pixie they became family. Pixie, who they called Fatma, would sit and chat for hours with them, each talking in their own language but communicating nevertheless and deepening the bonds of friendship.

May 15th will be their third anniversary of moving to live in Turkey.

Pixie had a kidney problem and from September last year this problem worsened, the last month in particular was a very difficult one.

Brian and Pixieʼs new family of British and Turkish friends have been unfaltering in their support, particularly Turkut and his family their close friends Mandy, and Bernice and Adie.

These loved ones will need each other even more after today as the reality of life as it is now, becomes the everyday experience.

The funeral took place on Monday 2nd April at the cemetery near to the petrol station in Ovacik, and many British and Turkish friends and neighbours attended. The non-religious service was led at the graveside by David Groom, who lives in Ovacik. A poem was read by Jo from the Fez bar.

Brian would like to thank those who have supported Pixie and himself over the last difficult months. Any donations given in lieu of flowers will go towards the dialysis machine fund at the hospital.