THE
SETTER & Pointer world were shocked to hear of the death
of Alicia Coupe on Wednesday last. Alicia was to enter hospital
later this month to have surgery on her troublesome knee,
which she had delayed to enable her to Judge a large entry
of 166 Bitches at the Irish Setter Breeders Club Championship
Show on Saturday 6th April.
Alicia and Geoff bred many Champion Irish and Gordon Setters
and Pointers under their famous “Timadon” affix.
Alicia started off in dogs with Minature Poodles in the early
60’s from the famous Mont Matre kennels and built up
her own line in Toys, and are still at Timadon today.
Alicia, along with her Mother showed regularly in the North
West in those early days, and subsequently added the Irish
Setters with Geoff, or Coupe! As she would so affectionately
call him.
The records will show the considerable success that Alicia
and Geoff have had in the dog fancy and the significant contribution
that Alicia has made through her honest and forthright views,
but what many may not have known is the warm and sincere Alicia,
who always insisted you should eat when you went to visit,
sometimes difficult with a Poodle on your lap.
Alicia was a terrific supporter of a number of Breed clubs
over the years and was still a member of the Setter &
Pointer Committee, Irish Setter Club of Wales, Gordon Setter
Association, and played host to the Annual Rally of the Northern
Toy Poodle Club.
Timadon dogs had success in other parts of the world, notably
Timadon Jaunty who went to Alicia’s “adopted “
son Greg Browne in Australia. On breaking the news to Greg
he recalled with great fondness his English home, Timadon
and the trips in the 70’s when they would go off together
to the lakes or on shopping trips.
We will all remember Alicia with affection but most of all
with great admiration in the way she nursed Geoff back to
health following his horrific accident in 1999.
The dog world has lost one of it’s most genuine and sincere
supporters but Geoff has lost a most supportive wife, partner
and dear, dear friend.
The funeral will be held at Ashton Village Church on Thursday
18th April at 2.00pm. Family flowers only with donations to
Guide Dogs for the Blind.
David Bell
Hon Sec. Setter & Pointer Club
