Remembering Kathleen Hypher - Friend and Committed CAFOD Fundraiser

Frank and Teresa Monteiro's Memories of
Kathleen Hypher

We were very sad to hear that our friend and fellow CPW member Kathleen Hypher died last Friday, 24 April in a Care Home in Bristol, near her daughter, Jane. Although she had been ill for a while she deteriorated very quickly in the last few days. Jane had been to see her the day before, spending time together in the garden, but it was quite a shock when she died suddenly the following evening. There was a small funeral on 6th May at Poole Crematorium which will be followed by a Memorial Service at a future date.

We first met Kathleen and her husband Bernard in 1962 at an Engaged Couples weekend, all of us getting married the following year.  We kept in touch and had our children more or less in parallel.  Sadly, Kathleen and Bernard’s eldest daughter Elizabeth died of Leukaemia as a teenager.

Kathleen and Bernard first introduced us to CPW in 1966 (we joined the following year and attended our first  CPW in July 1968). Bernard, who died in 2012, had been CPW Secretary and Membership Secretary for several years.

We called to see Kathleen after a holiday in the Isle of Wight last September and were very glad we saw her then.  She seemed bright and cheerful, though we'd been prepared for her deterioration.

Kathleen received a Papal Blessing last year. This was arranged by CAFOD, as she and a fellow parishioner had organised Friday Hunger Lunches for about 40 years in their parish in Poole, raising thousands of pounds for CAFOD. She leaves her daughter Jane, her two sons, Dominic and Ben, and six grandchildren. Kathleen’s sister, Teresa Derrick and her family attended several CPW events some years ago.

Many members will remember the Hyphers and I'm sure Kathleen will be included in all our prayers.

With our love to all

Teresa and Frank Monteiro