Dr Kevin Healy, Psychotherapy Faculty Chair, pays tribute to Chris Mace  The service was attended by Anna, some close long-time friends of Chris and many colleagues from local and Midlands NHS services, from the Institute of Group Analysis and from the Psychotherapy Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.While Chris was not religious, he had been curious about life and death in his usual inimitable interested style and chose to be buried in the church yard of his local parish church. The service was very fitting for a devoted psychotherapist and for a man supportive of the development of others, both patients and staff, throughout his professional life.

Tributes

The opening hymn expressed an awesome wonderment of nature and of human life, and well reflected a man interested in astrology, nature, country life, music, and above all, people. Sheila Hollins, a long time friend of Anna and Chris, and Past-President of the College, paid tribute to Chris and his life in a moving, compassionate way, mixing humour, sadness and thanksgiving. She spoke for us all in this. Uniquely, however, she claimed the honour of probably bringing Chris and Anna together some 20 years before.

Dale Mathers, another long time friend, then read the ‘Autobiography in five chapters’ by Portia Nelson that begins: “As I walk down the street, there is a deep hole in the sidewalk, I fall in…” Psychotherapists will know this poem as one that shows the difficulties for all of us in attempting to change our usual habits and life patterns. There followed another hymn that again closely reflected Chris’s life as a psychotherapist who “never sought so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood, as to understand, to be loved, as to love with all his soul.” 

We had been welcomed into the church and service by a lone flautist playing the music Chris himself played often on his flute. As close family and friends buried Chris in the churchyard, those of us remaining in the church were treated to the sounds of Faure’s Requiem, another of Chris’s favourite pieces of music.  Another engaging sound we heard throughout the service was the babble of twins aged eighteen weeks from the back of the church who had come with their parents Stella and Chris Newrith, colleagues of Chris Mace. The sound of this next generation was welcomed and probably created images for all of us of life and living carrying on alongside the sadness and loss of Chris’s death.

All were invited back to Chris and Anna’s home, a lovely farmhouse up a country lane. This was an opportunity to share remembrances of Chris and to share with Anna an appreciation of the sad and lonely times ahead. All those attending the funeral had a chance to write about their memories of Chris in a book of condolences. Anna will likely find these memories very consoling as she faces her huge loss. Many could not make it in person to the funeral, so they had asked me to pass on their personal condolences. Anna will likely appreciate letters, memories and contact over the difficult months ahead.

Legacy

There were some funny stories about Chris and his humour doing the rounds on the day. One related to Chris’s capacities and skills as a golfer. When younger he reputedly played a round of golf using only one golf club as a driver, wedge and putter. I don’t understand the point he was making in doing this at the time.  It sounded like he was having some good fun. Apologies to all for the clumsy link I am now making, but I’m sure Chris would not wish any of us as psychotherapists to limit ourselves in using a repertoire of effective interventions. Chris, in his time as Psychotherapy Faculty Chair, encouraged us all metaphorically to look at and try each other’s golf clubs and shots. We are continuing to learn from each other as colleagues with a variety of skills and can now appreciate the value of differing interventions for differing clinical situations.

We can all appreciate the legacy Chris has left us all. He left the Psychotherapy Faculty in good shape internally, and more able to work together to define and create our rightful place within services for those suffering from significant, distressing mental health difficulties. He left his imprints on our minds as a kind, caring, gentle, considerate, supportive and curious man. He will be greatly missed.