In losing Katharine, we have lost a truly wonderful and irreplaceable friend. Katharine was Church Warden for St Mary’s with St Luke’s over a seven year period and only stepped down earlier this year when she knew she would become unable to fulfil her duties. She was a woman of warm and deep wisdom, always generous of spirit and someone who wore her very considerable achievements and rich experiences very lightly. Katharine’s commitment to the life of the local churches was second to none and to honour her leadership and to mark the significance of her substantial contribution to the mission of the church, she was granted the Freedom of Bowdon at a special service just a few months ago. Katharine took over the editorship of the Bowdon Church News in 2008 and the clarity of vision and pinpoint grammatical accuracy she brought to the task were reflected in the recognition she received at the National Church Magazine Awards in 2015. Those who have submitted articles to the BCN over the years will know the ruthless kindness she deployed to ensure that BCN readers would receive a high quality, informative and thought-provoking magazine.
We do hope that you will appreciate this special edition of the BCN and will understand that these are brief accounts of just a few aspects of Katharine’s life and work. The Christian faith formed the backbone to Katharine’s life. Her prayer life was a mix of dearly-loved texts and informal, almost casual conversation with God at any time of the day. Choral works of worship would thin the line between earth and heaven for her, but ethereal music and song were always solidly balanced by her determination that faith should produce fruit in the form of comfort for the broken-hearted, care for those who struggle and justice for the downtrodden. You will often hear it said of Katharine that time spent in her company was time very well spent. You left her side feeling encouraged, more resolved, better focussed on what really matters, and her beautiful smile would send you on your way in a lighter spirit than when you’d arrived. Slight of frame Katharine may have been, but there was steel in her intent and her capacity to make things on earth a little more heavenly.
Ian Rumsey, Vicar of Bowdon