It was with profound shock and sadness that I learned upon waking this morning of the death of Tracey Clasper.
Tracey was a much-loved voice on Mushroom FM for over three and a half years. We first heard her on-air trying to keep her husband Terry under control during 60s 70s Sunday, But Trace grew in confidence as a broadcaster, and soon she was making a significant contribution in her own right with shows of her own.
Many listeners followed Trace’s adventures, from holiday cruises to the far less pleasant adventures of broken bones, to obtaining a new guide dog. We laughed with her as she rebelled against the music of the Carpenters or told us a hilarious story, and we cried with her as she’d play a love song for someone with a moving story to tell about why the song meant so much to them.
Speaking of love songs, Terry’s and Trace’s marriage was a wonderful love story. They would banter with each other, and rib each other, but they loved each other deeply, and that was clear for all to see. Trace was Terry’s partner in life and love, as well as for a long time in business, dating right back to the early days where Terry would play keyboards and Trace would sing, something I didn’t manage to get her to do on Mushroom FM.
We have many happy memories, but those memories right now are unavoidably tainted by a sense of loss and sadness. All of us at Mushroom FM extend our love and best wishes to Terry, to Trace’s family and friends. Thank you, Trace, for making the world a better place. And Terry, you are very much in our thoughts.
I believe Trace would want us to honour her memory by telling the person closest to us how much we love them.
Jonathan Mosen.