FOXLEY SAYS GOODBYE TO DAISY, THEIR GUIDING LIGHT

On Saturday 23rd September, Girl Guides aged from 5 to 75 from Foxley district gathered together around their campfire circle in Bray to say goodbye to one of their dedicated leaders who passed away this January aged just 58 years. 

Anne Galitzine helped form the first Rainbow Guide group for the district and lead the group tirelessly for 15 years.  She only gave up a few years before passing away after a brave battle against cancer.  She was much loved and known as ‘Daisy’ to the girls.   

The campfire was a marathon 5 and ½ hrs long and Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section, Guiders and Trefoil members came and went all afternoon and into the evening.  Each member made jam jar lanterns in their section colours and lit and hung them in remembrance of Anne.  By the evening time, the campfire circle was festooned in different colour lanterns.  It was a magical sight. 

During the day, all the girls planted a different bush in Anne’s memory.  The plants were chosen for their flowers which represented the different colours of the girls uniforms and because they all blossom at different times of the year.  By the end of each year, all the colours of the Rainbow will have been seen at the campfire circle.

The event was attended by Anne’s Widower, Nick Galitzine and their daughter Tanya and her family who all joined in with the campfire songs, prayers, stories, skits and marshmallow toasting! 

We were very lucky that the sun shone on us all day after the torrential downpours of the day before.  Although we know Daisy would have gone ahead with any event even in the rain, I think she may have arranged the sunshine for us on this special afternoon.  We hope it was a fitting tribute to someone who gave so much to so many during her guiding life.  She is sadly missed.  Below - a lovely tribute from a current Rainbow.