In Memory of Kate Montali

I first met Kate on the Aspergillosis Yahoo Support Group in 2010. 

She was always helping anyone that had been newly diagnosed and was willing to have a chat. 

The Support Groups moved to Facebook and quickly the numbers grew.  She attended the National Aspergillosis Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester and with their help set up a local group that met in person once a month.

Kate took part in the weekly Zoom meeting when she was able, and we always had a laugh.  She also was active with the Aspergillosis Trust and helped raise money for us.  She also made a video with her granddaughter showing her daily routine taking her nebulised treatment.

When we first started in 2018, she wrote to Buckingham Palace to see if Meghan Markle would be a Patron of Aspergillosis.  We received a letter apologising that she would not be able as so many charities had been in touch.  I remember sending the letter on to Kate to keep.

Sadly, Covid happened, and she was needing a heart operation.  She was still having appointments and I remember her saying to me she just wanted to be well enough for a daughter’s wedding which had been postponed because of Covid-19. 

The wedding took place in August 2021, and she sent me some videos of the day.  She looked so happy and danced with her husband Nik.  Her daughter was beautiful, and she was so proud and happy with the celebrations.

Sadly, Kate passed away on 22 October 2021.

She is missed by everyone on the Support Groups, and I have lost a friend.

Jill Fairweather