Updated April 13
The Times is very sad to report that Kay Mayhew passed away April 12. The following column, which appeared two weeks ago, contains her final message to her beloved fellow residents of the town of Tisbury.
Dear readers, I’m not Catherine Mayhew. I’m Nicole Galland, and I’ve had the pleasure and honor of being her editor here at The MV Times since I joined the staff last year. Kay herself — as many of you are aware — began her stint as Tisbury town columnist back in 1987, just a few years after this paper was founded. For four decades, she has been a taker of the town’s pulse, chronicler of the town’s cycles of life, and above all, a reliable, insightful, and confiding voice in this column each week.
She is confiding in you one more time:
Dear Tisbury:
I am sorry I can no longer share my ideas and passions with all of you because too many birthdays and now lung cancer have now cut my time short. I already miss the pleasures I have enjoyed for many years, while sharing our lives and concerns. Welcome the joys and pleasures of spring as we continue on our journeys.
Kay
On the Vineyard, April is indeed often the cruelest month; it will be even harder to get through it without Kay’s weekly presence in the newspaper. Connie Berry, former managing editor here at The MV Times, expresses a widespread sentiment: “Kay has been a terrific longtime town columnist, writing in a way that we could all relate to. I’ve loved reading about her family and friends and her life in Vineyard Haven as it kept unfolding.”
All her readers love her signature opening and sign-off — “Heard on the street.” These have ranged from profound to jokey, and from localized to universal, but every one of them feels like a comment from a friend. We’ll be reviving some of our favorites over the next few weeks, starting today.
Heard on Main Street: There are two theories about arguing with women. Neither one works. Heard on Main Street: If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
Heard on Main Street: Be the person your dog thinks you are.
Heard on Main Street: Work is for people who don’t know how to fish. Heard on Main Street: Save the Earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate.
Heard on Main Street: When in doubt, just take the next small step.
A few months ago, we had a gathering of all the town columnists at the Times office. It was wonderful to meet in person the people whose voices I have gotten to know so well on the page. Kay, despite mobility issues and a doctor’s appointment, was present. So very present — what a presence! She has been an anchor in the community. There will never be another like her …
… But there can be another following in her footsteps, and she is gracious about passing the baton. If you know anyone who might be interested in becoming the new Tisbury town columnist, please reach out to me directly, at nicolegalland@mvtimes.com.
Heard on Main Street: Thoreau said it: “Be not simply good, be good for something.”
Kay Mayhew has been good for Tisbury. Thank you, Kay.