FAREWELL MARGARET BARNES

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

It is with much sadness, that I report the passing of Margaret Barnes, famous for her beautiful Suntop English Setters.

Margaret died on Friday morning,24th September,at home in her own bed,surrounded by all her objects,so familiar and dear to her. She was 89.The funeral is taking place, as I write this, and in true Margaret form, she asked that people be invited back to her home, after the service, for tea and cake.

The Suntop prefix was first registered to Margaret's mother in 1928, for her Airedales and Cocker Spaniels, and was transferred to Margaret in 1956, when it became synonymous with some of the most beautiful English Setters, in the history of the breed. The Suntop English were a type, which has put a stamp on the breed for all time.

Her book, now long out of print, "English Setters, Ancient and Modern," is a definitive work on the history of the breed, which was the end result of her love for pedigrees and the culmination of all her records. I know from her past letters, that it took a long, long time to finish and be published.

Rest in Peace, Dear Margaret. We, here at Amhurst, had some beautiful English from you, and it was an honour and a privilege to know someone so very special.

[JOANNE]

Such a shame, rest in peace Margeter. She most certainly was an advocat for the breed

[Trudy Walsh]

We have lost a true character in Margaret. She was a wonderful personality and very forthright in her views.
A great loss to English Setters worldwide.

[Susan Stone]

The end of an era - the Suntops were a household name in English Setters for many years. My condolences to her family and friends.

[Laura Kolbach]

so sorry to hear :-( we had one of her dogs here in Hungary, Suntop Shining Ben - who put his mark on the breed.

[Maggie Smith]

Myra that is a lovely tribute. A good age and a life shared with our lovely Setters - that is something to be proud of.

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

Suntop Shining Ben was beautiful, Laura, and a litter brother to one of our girls.

[Esther Siegrist]

So sad to hear this! my deepest condolences to her family and friends.

[Margaret Sierakowski]

What a loss to the dog world. Her book on English Setters remains one of the greatest dog books of modern times, a work that was the result of decades of research and an unrivalled collection of pedigrees and photos. Such a shame that not more copies were printed, maybe a reprint would be a fitting tribute to her memory?


Such a shame

[Myra Thomas-Rhodes]

I am told a copy of Margaret's book is for sale through Amazon, for 800 British Pounds!!!! Margaret published the book herself in 1982.

[Melinda Auld]

A very sad loss indeed.