Mrs Kathleen Cooke, who lived in Westbury for over 50 years, died on February 11 at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. She was 86.

Her funeral service was held at St Bernadette's Church, Westbury, on February 19, with many family members and friends attending the Requiem Mass which was followed by interment at Westbury Cemetery.

Mrs Cooke was very well known and a much-loved and respected member of the Westbury community who will be sadly missed for her generosity and friendship.

She was born in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Roscommon, and brought up by her father after her mother died when she was very young. After completing her general nursing and midwifery training in Yorkshire, she settled in the west Wiltshire area where she held several posts as a ward sister at Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Warminster and Frome Hospitals.

She married Denis Cooke, the former headmaster of the Nelson Haden Boys School in Trowbridge, now Clarendon School, in the late 1950s and they lived in Ivy House, Church Street, Westbury.

It was open house for everyone and the Cookes held countless events for charity in the house and garden. For several years they held Christmas parties for disabled youngsters.

Mrs Cooke was a keen supporter of many charities, including Cancer UK, Dorothy House, the homeless, meals on wheels and many more. Her great interests were antiques and gardening and she was an accomplished flower arranger.

About 10 years ago the couple moved to a bungalow in Chantry Lane. Mr Cooke died shortly afterwards and Mrs Cooke continued living there alone until her death.

12:42pm Friday 14th March 2008

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