Atsuko McCarthy

• A REGULAR contributor to your Letters page has passed away after a short but brave battle against a terminal illness.

Every Thursday my wife Atsuko would without fail collect the New Journal and read it avidly from cover to cover.

Although born and raised in rural south western Japan, she lived in Camden from the time of her arrival in the UK.

I remember her meticulous approach to writing to the Letters pages of the CNJ with a dictionary and internet searches to confirm her meaning, though I fondly remember how her letters were still quirky.

She made sure she was up-to-date with events in Camden and affairs of the borough.

Atsuko and I even appeared on the cover of the CNJ with a chance meeting of Frank Dobson and a passing quick-thinking CNJ photographer snapped Atsuko signing a petition on behalf of the late MP.

It is with great sadness that I think of her passing but am appreciative of the important part the CNJ, and having her letters published in your paper, brought to Atsuko in her life.

JOHN McCARTHY
Ossulston Street, NW1

The Editor writes: We feel the great loss of Atsuko as will our readers who enjoyed her many letters over the years. Our sincere condolences to her family and we will publish an obituary in next week’s paper. Her cremation will take place at Golder’s Green Crematorium on Friday September 4 at 11am.