Tower and Town, February 2024

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Family News

Katherine (Kitty) Styles 1924 – 2023

Katherine Styles, known to all as Kitty, sadly passed away in August at the age of 99. Kitty lived in Alexandra Terrace, Marlborough, for nearly 65 years. She went to St Mary’s Church regularly, delivered Tower and Town for many years and was a member of the Townswomen’s Guild.

Born in Mere, Wiltshire in1924, Kitty was the only child of Ewing and Kate Edmunds. Her father managed the local Crown Printing works and Kitty was employed there until her marriage in 1949 to Gordon Styles. Kitty started her married life in Gillingham, Dorset, where their two children (Elizabeth and Roland) were born. The family moved to Marlborough in 1956 when Gordon was offered a new job as manager of a men’s outfitters.

Once the children were settled at the Grammar School, Kitty worked firstly as a ‘colourist’ for a school photographer on Kingsbury Hill and then for the local Adult Education Service based in the former school in Chopping Knife Lane, where she was a secretary for many years until her retirement.

After Gordon died in 1989, Kitty remained firmly independent. She enjoyed watching her family develop – two grandchildren, followed by four great-granddaughters – but was always content in her own company. She walked down to the High Street every day – and then back up the hill again, refusing to take the bus. Kitty was always smartly dressed in outfits including a variety of berets – her red beret, hand knitted red gloves and red scarf were her signature attire.

In 2020, when Covid came, she moved to Hertfordshire, initially to stay with her daughter Liz and son-in-law Mike. She spent her last three years in Shenleybury House, a small, cosy, residential home, where she was expertly looked after by a wonderful, loving team of dedicated and professional carers. ‘Quietly determined’ is what kept her going to the grand old age of 99, providing an excellent role model for future generations.

Her presence and her lovely smile are sadly missed by her family, her carers in Shenleybury House and by her friends in Marlborough.

Naomi Painter