Sadly our sweet Kate had to leave us last night. She departed in a haze of song and love surrounded by family and good friends. She is irreplaceable and we are broken-hearted. Til we meet again dear sister. ♡
The pic of Kate was taken by David Gahr in 1970 when Kate was in NYC with Roma Baran.
Rena says:
I have been moved by your voices and music since I first heard your album in the 70’s. I am so sad to think her voice is now only a recording. May her spirit surround your family….keep singing. Our hearts still need your music.
Rena
Martina Field says:
I’ve been so broken hearted since learning of Kate’s death that I just had to add to the many notes already here. It’s been more than thirty years that I’ve been loving your music as it has helped me through happy and troubled times. I was fortunate to have had a great conversation with Kate a few years back. She had driven Martha and Lily to the Blue Skies Music Festival. Kate initiated some small talk with me and we ended up talking about many things under the stars. I made sure to tell her what a huge fan I’d been and how much I loved ‘Matapedia’ and ‘Going Back to Harlan’ and that my then eighty year old mum’s favourite was the racy ‘Talk About It’. She was quite curious about the festival and what all people were doing in our neck of the woods. We must have talked and laughed for about a half an hour. I was taken with how familiar she seemed(she reminded me of my cousins,my sisters and even my mother)it was just so easy to speak with her. There were no pretences, no indirection, just honesty and generosity, ease and familiarity… like the music. I think many of us are so deeply saddened by the loss of Kate partly because we feel that we too have lost a friend, even though we may never have met. She at least confided in us. And she always told us the truth.
I am so thankful for that visit and to have known this beautiful,wonderous and soul touching music that has helped me to laugh and cry and laugh over and over for so much of my life. I wish love, courage and peace to all.
‘Her little soul’s gonna shine like a star’
Martina Field
Amanda says:
Deepest sympathies to you all, have been a fan of Kate and Anna’s since early days and their recordings were often hard to some by down here.
Big hugs,
Amanda, Christchurch, New Zealand
Valerio Del Ponte says:
Solo oggi ho saputo della scomparsa della cara Kate.
Io sono un fan italiano delle sister Mc Garrigle e sono rimasto con il fiato spezzato nell’apprendere della morte di questa grande artista.
La ricorderò sempre con grande affetto e continuerò ad emozionarmi nell’ascoltare le sue belle canzoni eseguite con bravura anche dalla sorella Anna.
Riposa in pace cara Kate.
Dirk Hauska says:
Thank you so much for the wonderful music. You’ll always be in the soundtrack of our lives.
We are carbon
We are ether
We are saints
We are kings
Why must we die?
Helen Mitchell says:
Just a note to say I was saddened to learn of Kate’s passing. The world has lost a folk legend and a beautiful voice. I was at The Transatlantic Sesssions show in gateshead the other night, and the artists performed a beautiful and deeply moving version of ‘Talk to me of Mendocino’ in Kate’s honour. I have no doubt she was smiling.
As strange as things in life are, my friend’s 16 year old daughter died unecpectedly on Jan 25; her funeral, also, was Feb 1st. I think I will always have a connection there in mind between the two of them. Rhianne had gotten a guitar for Christmas, who knows what is going on up there!!
Thanks for everything Kate, you live on through your music…sleep tight and since we bid you farewell on the same day, look after Rhianne for us.
Peace and love to your family.
xx
Carl Womack says:
Once years ago I drove 200 miles out of my way to see Mendicino solely because Kate and Anna sang so beautifully about it. For the last few days Matapedia’s been running through my head. Now I know why. I had no idea. So sorry for all of you who knew her well. Many times I wished I did. Thank God I’ve still got her music.
Johnny Maudlin says:
February 7th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Just listening to Proserpina. It’s so beautiful. What a gift. What a life. What a loss.
Robert says:
February 10th, 2010 at 12:37 am
I was heartbroken to hear of Kate’s passing, I didn’t know she was ill. I’ve been a fan since I first heard “Dancer with Bruised Knees,” and her and Anna’s songs helped me survive the darkest days of my life.
Deepest condolences to Rufus, Martha, Anna and the rest of your remarkable family.
Carlos C. says:
February 17th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I feel such grief. Almost as if it were someone from my family. And it was.
The family of those who love music.
“Heart Like a Wheel”…the most beautiful song ever written, the most out of this world beautiful vocal harmonies…
A few tears are starting to trickle down my stunned soul…
Goodbye dear Kate. Irreplaceable and unforgettable…
Carlos, Faro – Portugal
Markus 'giles' Koehorst says:
My personal tribute to Kate:
[…] alex shoumatoff says:January 19th, 2010 at 7:31 pm […]
dick kamphuis says:
I cry.No words can be said.When will you ever sing to me of Mendocino again?
Goodbye. Dick.
dick kamphuis says:
there’s nothing to say. You told me everything I wanted to know.I mourne.Dick
Marcel Bijl says:
Every time I watch the clips I have to cry…
Miss you every day Kate
Jeff K. says:
Greatest condolences to the entire family and the wonderful talent she left behind to remind us. At McGill we saw the sisters at the old Yellow Door, and as recently as last year, now married for 30 years, we saw the sisters at the annual Christmas concert in New York. We loved you so much, Kate.
Michelle says:
Just a note to say I was saddened to learn of Kate’s passing. The world has lost a folk legend and a beautiful voice. I was at The Transatlantic Sesssions show in gateshead the other night, and the artists performed a beautiful and deeply moving version of ‘Talk to me of Mendocino’ in Kate’s honour. I have no doubt she was smiling.
As strange as things in life are, my friend’s 16 year old daughter died unecpectedly on Jan 25; her funeral, also, was Feb 1st. I think I will always have a connection there in mind between the two of them. Rhianne had gotten a guitar for Christmas, who knows what is going on up there!!
Thanks for everything Kate, you live on through your music…sleep tight and since we bid you farewell on the same day, look after Rhianne for us.
Peace and love to your family.
xx
ian l'pool says:
I’ve been a Loudon fan since the mid 80s, i can see by the messages received why he wrote so many songs to you kate you must have been an amazing person, i,m inspired by the lovely messages to go and listen to your music now and i just know i’m going to like it
Pat says:
Never had the pleasure of seeing Kate alive but certainly enjoyed her music and songs for many years. She will certainly be greatly missed by all her fans. She is an universal treasure. Pat
Padraic Rooney says:
Its the 2nd of August 2010.. for some reason i come across Kate & Anna Mc Garrigle. I wanted to hear them sing Gentle Annie.. It was so beautiful. After I played it I seen something that said Kate was dead. It shouldnt be they should always sing forever.. God… May heaven be her bed.. and may heaven be a more delightful place now that Kate has gone there P Rooney
Padraic Rooney says:
I looked on Youtube tonight to hear Kate and Anna sing 2Gentle Annie\.. It moved me..Then i saw something that said Kate was dead. I looked it up Im crying here. She and her family are a treasure. May heaven be your bed Kate, and trust me Heaven is a sweeter place now that Kate Mc Garrigle is there, singing in the choir sometimes. But mostly singing her own songs. and letting the rest of the heavenly voices join in Padraic
Rozzy Hoope-Hamersley says:
to all of the McGarrigle/Wainwright family I send love from a stranger who has adored the music that all of you have offered – and continue to offer – lo these many years. Despite the wrinkles that define us all, the love and affection and tenderness you feel for each other moves me in a hundred different ways. I first heard the dear and charming and beautiful music of Kate and Anna McGarrigle as a young woman in the late 70s’ – and the enticing and enchanting music of Rufus and Martha Wainwright much later – I am grateful for all of you and send you my love and support in the passing of the vibrant and effervescent great Kate McGarrigle. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do.
love,
Rozzy Hooper-Hamersley
Nick Miller says:
I agree
Tattoos For Girls says:
September 12th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
The last song she wrote Proserpina, and her last public performance of it will symbolise in my memory the contribution Kate made to Canada, world music and Peace.
T says:
September 19th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
So sad to hear this news – belatedly. Kate’s and Anna’s music has been a presence and a blessing in my life for 30 years or so. Came across this news whilst listening, as chance would have it, to Why Must We Die? and Song for Gaby.
Come be our little seraph in this paradise.
Condolences to all who knew and loved her.
Tx
Viviann Napp says:
October 16th, 2010 at 11:57 am
The spirit in the song will live forever.
Berbel says:
Thanks for the beautiful music.
I still sing some songs of you both, for example; when i’m washing the dishes. (like: Heart like a wheel or Go leave)and then I always cry. Every dish again…
All my tears of touchingness I will give them back to you with a bonus of extra love….
Berbel
From Holland (sorry for my English)
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Johanna says:
Aus Deutschland mein herzlichtes Beileid!
I love the McGarrigle-Records, and Kate is a big miss.
Hope, she is well, whereever she may be.
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January 11th, 2014 at 11:59 am
[…] was quite saddened to hear about the death of Kate McGarrigle last week. Many of you may know she’s the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright and was […]
Russell Cheek says:
Reading this again in 2016…. nearly 7 years later, and I’m in copious tears.
Well, why not…. what a loss to us all. How sad life can be.
