As many will already be aware, Admiral Mary Barton died on 1st December, just a few days before her 95th birthday.[spacer height=”5px”]
The Ocean Cruising Club is deeply indebted to Mary, the second wife of our Founder, Humphrey Barton. As many will know, the Club went through troubled times in the 1980s and, by the time Mary became Commodore in 1988, it was both insolvent and riven by deep divisions. It was due in large part to Mary’s devotion to the OCC throughout her six years as Commodore that it survived to grow into the vibrant Club it is today. Mary was appointed Admiral in 1994, on completion of her second term as Commodore.[spacer height=”5px”]
Born in Australia, Mary was a keen sailor throughout her long life, dinghies in wartime Ceylon (Sri Lanka) giving way to crewing on ocean passages in the 1950s and 60s. After she married Hum in 1970, Rose Rambler became their cruising home until his death ten years later.[spacer height=”5px”]
Over the following decades, Mary sailed enthusiastically with OCC members all over the globe, as well as attending many club functions, always an honoured guest. Her last attendance at an OCC formal function was in March 2012, when she joined members at the Royal Yacht Squadron committee luncheon in Cowes, and charmed everyone.[spacer height=”5px”]
