Kathleen Kuhnert

Kathy and husband Bruce had hundreds of friends across the Bournemouth area.

Her Irish charm ensured Kathy stood out from the crowd wherever she went and she will be sadly missed by her many friends and close family.

Kathy was born in Charlestown, County Mayo, on September 24 1928 and initially worked in the famous Aero Club in Piccadilly after following her sister, Tess, to London.

She then moved to Bournemouth where she met Bruce.

They married 13 months later in August 1949 and remained happily married for the next 64 years.

When Bruce left the Army he joined the Bournemouth Fire Brigade and the couple set up home in Cotlands Road in the 1950s.

In July 1954 their first son, Bruce Carl, was born, followed by Jacqueline Ann (Jacky) in May 1956 and Gary Stuart in July 1960.

Kathy and Bruce had an active social life and were renowned for their monthly parties, scrumpy and music.

Bruce played the tea chest with Uncle Charlie on the banjo and Kathy on the dance floor.

After their children left home the couple danced at numerous venues in the area, sometimes twice a day.

In recent years they had to give up dancing due to Bruce’s health, and it was a great shock to the family to discover Kathy had incurable lung cancer. She died six weeks later.

Kathy had seven grandchildren, Steve, Jenny, Carl, Sam, Kim, Lucy and Jack as well as one great-granddaughter, Milly.

Her family have described her as a greatly loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many.

A funeral service was due to be held today.