I thought it timely to write to you, given the very sad news we received about the death of Viv Michaelovitz on 1st January, which I know many of you are still trying to come to terms with.
Viv was one of our most important members and her contribution to the Club cannot be overstated. For over 30 years she has played a key role in the running and development of both the tennis section and the Club generally as well as being one of the best lady players we have produced. It would be impossible to list all the ways in which Viv has contributed to the Club but as a leading first team player for over 20 years her loss will be particularly hard felt within this section.
As well as being a regular first team and mixed team player Viv played a crucial role behind the scenes – of her many tasks she prepared the court timetable, captained teams, ran tournaments, provided catering for various teams and events and represented the Club at local leagues. In addition to her contribution to tennis at the Club, Viv was the Club treasurer, catered for various club events and gave to the Club in so many personal ways, such as putting up the Christmas decorations and providing flowering displays in hanging baskets and pots around the Club.
Viv’s work at the Club is an example to us all as she found time to do all of this in addition to having a responsible full time job and being a mother to 5 year old Leo and wife to Alan. We will remember her practicing with Leo on court and relaxing with friends on the patio, as well as on court where her beautiful baseline shots and crisp volleys will be sorely missed in our teams.
I will miss Viv as a Club colleague but also as a friend who was always willing to help me when I needed it most – just last season for example she stepped in to help me run the Oldham A team and was always on hand to respond to the league regarding disputes between teams and other matters.
I am sure you will join with me in offering our most sincere condolences to Alan, Sylvia, Leo and the rest of Viv’s family. Her funeral will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday 15th January at Blackley crematorium and then afterwards at the Club. We are currently discussing how as a section we can best remember Viv and a number of suggestions have been made by members. If you have any ideas on how we should mark her contribution to the Club and how you might help, please contact me by e-mailing, alano.millington@tiscali.co.uk.
Yours Sincerely,
Alan Millington
