The Independent - Peoples Spiritualist Church

A Brief Outline of Kay’s Life

She was born in 1931 and grew up during the war, when for a short time she was evacuated to Conway (something she never forgot – even as her memory faded). Her life was hard, looking after her own brothers and sisters until she married at 19. Then having four children, John, Christopher, William (better know to most of you as Joseph) and Catherine, raising them virtually single handed, as well as working.

She worked in her mother’s mobile shop and raised enough money for her family to emigrate to New Zealand in the early 1960’s, and though not afraid of many things, the constant earthquakes and tremors made her want to return home, where as a family of six she looked after them in one room of a council house until after 2 years she found them a home of their own.

She got a job as a nurse on the burns unit at Alder Hey children’s hospital, where she worked until she was forced to retire on health grounds. To make ends meet, she went out and cleaned other peoples homes, she did without things she needed, wearing plastic open sandals in winter, she fostered a boy, and then became a childminder, and then opened up her home for lodgers, always trying to give the best she could to her family.

She never complained, through all the hard times, and always had time and a smile for everyone, and whenever she could she would help. Those who met her could not forget her, and those she helped were forever grateful.

She was one of the founder members of the IPSC, a wonderful natural Spiritual Healer and a Trustee of the Church until in her later years her mind began to fade and her body began to fail.

Sadly in August 2007, she became very ill, and never fully recovered. Again those who nursed her and looked after her in respite or residential care, all said what a lovely lady she was, and so funny all the time, even when in great pain. Her passing leaves many, not just her family with a sense of loss, but all the better for having known her.

Portrait by Denise Griggs