Kate Smith shares a story remembering our dear friend and mentor, Dr. Sister Fleurette Sweeney.
For many decades Fleurette lived, studied, and taught in the lower mainland of British Columbia. My husband, Bill, and I visited with her frequently in Vancouver and often were lucky enough to have her make the drive out to Port Coquitlam for an afternoon visit and dinner together at our home. Fleurette always enjoyed time spent around a dinner table with good food and spirited conversation with friends. On one occasion, we took her to a trendy, bustling little restaurant in Kitsilano. As we were waiting for our meal to arrive, Fleurette told us about her brother, Hugh, in Kentville, Nova Scotia who had recently been required to re-qualify for his driver’s licence. As part of his exam, he was asked to recite the alphabet—backwards!
“Imagine!” exclaimed Fleurette. “Who among us is able to do that?” We all agreed that it was an unfair and near impossible task. With a twinkle in her eye, Fleurette announced that she had found a way to learn the alphabet from Z to A. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded restaurant, she launched into a full throated singing of the Alphabet Song…sung backwards! She ended to the full applause of us and also all the other diners in the restaurant. My husband was so taken with her brilliant rendition that he asked her to sing it again. She happily agreed and he recorded it. Fleurette assured us that it was quite easy to do because the melody of the song supported the new backwards words—a known musical fact in the SongWorks community!
This is the story as I remember it. When speaking with Hugh, he was not aware of all the details but does remember Fleurette coaching him in case he was ever required to perform this backwards feat again. I am sending along the recording my husband made. We hope that it makes you smile, laugh, and perhaps shed a little tear for our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Sister Fleurette Sweeney.
