Kathleen Elizabeth Fry
Kath passed away unexpectedly on 4th January 2022. The coroner has identified the cause of death as COPD.
Kath was a wonderful wife to Garry for 37 years, a cherished mother to Daniel and James, and a kind person to all that she met.
We would be honoured if you would join us in remembrance of our beloved Kath.
Kath suffered with asthma throughout her childhood, which developed to COPD as she grew older. She was also diagnosed with cancer during 2021, 24 years after her first successful treatment. Despite these hardships, she did not complain, and she entered 2022 optimistic and happy. Naturally the sudden nature of her passing has been a shock to the family; it is almost unbearable. She was intelligent, resilient, empathetic and above all, kind. She always did what she could to help others. If there is a heaven, we know that she will be there.
We hope that we can make Kath’s funeral a celebration of life rather than a mourning of death, but naturally this will be a challenge for us all.
The service will be held at Stonefall Cemetery and Crematorium (HG3 1DE) on Friday 21st January 2022 at 9:40am.
Please click to confirm your attendance, or alternatively contact us via e-mail at [email protected].
We would love to hear your stories and memories of Kath. If you would like to share, please e-mail your message to [email protected]. This page will be periodically updated so we can all take comfort in these happy memories.
Dress Code: Smart or smart-casual, sombre attire is preferred but colour is OK.
Please wear a face mask in the crematorium, and please do not attend if you have any symptoms of COVID. Please take a lateral flow test before attending.
The chapel is large and there will be plenty of space for mourners to socially distance. Hand sanitiser will be available. Although we would love to see you, if you are clinically vulnerable, please don’t feel obliged to attend. Kath would not have wanted anyone to become unwell on her account.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Kath, please make it to
The British Lung Foundation (please no flowers).
For family, there will be a get-together with refreshments following the service at Rosedene, 10 Pannal Ash Drive, Harrogate, HG2 0JB. As an anti-Covid measure the windows will remain open in the large conservatory and elsewhere.
All enquiries to Full Circle Funerals 01423 740799.
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My sincere condolences go to Garry, Daniel and James. My memories of Kath grew from my friendship with Garry, and I got to know her better after we both moved ‘up north’ in the late 1990s. We all gradually adjusted to life in the Harrogate area, and whenever we met Kath she always had a broad smile on her face and was always so ‘bubbly’ about life in general. It was a real pleasure that she attended my wedding in 2016, where she was personally able to enjoy the happy day with Garry.
Her smiling face masked her resilience and determination to fight illness, and, indeed, when we met her recently there was no sign that that fight was not going to succeed. We were both drawn to walks around RHS Harlow Carr, and as the spring flowers start to bloom, so will my memories of meeting her often in that lovely place, which now takes on a special significance.
Thus, it is with a sense of shock and sadness that I am writing these words, but her life is to be celebrated, and memories of her cherished forever.
Sue Haley
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I got to know Kath and Garry in 1988, through David Worth
We all hit it off and became good friends.
We began meeting up starting from our wedding in North Yorkshire 1989.
We even tried family holidays together when our first babies were young!!!
In later years when Kath and Garry moved to Harrogate we began meeting at historic houses, gardens, seafronts, cafes etc
Thank you for that Kath because we saw so much of beautiful Yorkshire with you
Thank you Kath for the chats as our lads grew up and went to school, university and beyond; you were always positive and encouraging at every stage.
Thank you Kath for all the lockdown phone calls and WhatsApp messages that I looked forward to. I’ll always be grateful.
In 2021 Kath and Garry came to visit us in our new home where we have a garden view towards Filey.
Sharing this happy day with you Kath is a very special memory.
It’s good to know you see what I see
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For my amazing sister, Kath. I will always have the happy memories of our childhood to remember and later as adults with our own families. I know that Garry made her so happy and she was so proud of her two boys.
Although she was not in the best of health when we spoke on the phone she was so cheerful and uncomplaining and I have always been so proud of her and her achievements.
Terry also sends his condolences and says what a great sister-in-law she was.
Love always
Anne and Terry
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I first met Kath nearly 50 years ago when we were both on a bilingual secretarial course at Newcastle Polytechnic, along with our other friend, Alison, but it was when the three of us were sharing a flat in London in the 1970s that I got to know her really well, and become a lifelong friend. Most of my my memories of those days are lost in the mists of time, but I distinctly recall being shocked when I discovered that Kath had been walking round Kensington dressed in shorts! A bit unreasonable of me, really, when I look back!
I wish I could remember all the good times we had whilst living in Melbury Road – I know there were lots of them, and I still have a couple of photos to jog my memory. But of course, it was eventually time to move on, become responsible adults, have careers and families…
Although Kath had always suffered from ill health, I can’t remember her ever complaining about it. She was always upbeat and optimistic, and a positive role model for the rest of us.
Although I won’t be at the funeral on Friday, I’ll be thinking about Kath, and sending all my love and sympathy to Garry, Daniel and James.
Barbara xxx
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My heartfelt condolences go out to my Uncle Garry and cousins Daniel and James. I am always here for you, just like you’ve been there for me over the years.
Thinking of Kath, the best I can say is, there really was no-one like her. She really was a consistent and very caring person – a real bedrock for those who knew her.
She had many a tale to tell and was determined in her own way, especially when telling Garry to go to bed after falling asleep on his favourite chair time and again.
It’s always been a real pleasure to see Garry and Kath over the years. We’ve enjoyed many chinwags and even debates, knowing that we’d find something to chuckle about afterwards.
It’s been a privilege having Kath as my Auntie who will truly be missed. I’ll miss our chats.
Paul Dockeray
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Kath was a amazing Sister in law, so caring, gentle to everyone who she met and knew.
I have many wonderful memories, and only last year. Kath, Gary and myself visited Highcliffe Castle, what a beautiful peaceful sunny day this was, as we strolled down the winding pathway, sitting on the benches occasionally, admiring the views of the coast line, making our way to the beach and later returning up the same path to the castle
My heart felt deepest sympathy to my Brother, Daniel and James.
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There were 4 of us; Anne, Kathleen, Harry and me Rosemary.
Kath was the best of us.
I don’t ever remember arguing with Kath or falling out, she put her view but would not get angry. In my memory Kath always had problems with her breathing, sometimes so severe she was hospitalized. She never complained to us “why me and not you” she took it in her stride.
So, Kath couldn’t be sporty but she was clever. First in the family to go to university with 3 straight A’s. Our Dad was so proud.
She was a hard act to follow, all the teachers in infant and juniors on finding I was Kath’s sister would say “If your half as clever as your sister you’ll do well”.
When our Dad died suddenly, Kath was still at university, she offered to give up and come home, get a job and help support Mum. There was no way that was allowed to happen and I’m glad my Mum said no.
As happens, we all drifted apart, Kath was the one who kept in touch with us all, phoning periodically and swopping news. We spoke last 2 days before she died, I had no idea what was to come, she sounded positive and upbeat. I shall miss our chats.
I’m so sad her last years were so restricted by Covid, I’ll never forget her.
But I say again she was the best of us!
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“Kathleen was my aunt and from an early age always was an inspiration to me
She was the first member of my family to attend university. I always remember the stories my Mum would tell me of the work Kathleen would put in studying for her A-Levels to secure a university place. Those stories stuck with me and inspired me to also do well. And, although I didn’t do as well as her, I did get the grades to secure my own place and pursue the career I always wanted. As it happens, in the end I went to the same University as her.
I cannot help but think that without Kathleen’s influence my life would have taken perhaps a different turn.”
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Although situated as we are on the far side of the world, news of Kath’s untimely passing has left us with a profound feeling of loss. Our thoughts have been with Garry and his two sons, Daniel and James, since the news broke and we send our sincere condolences to them at this sad time.
Kath was a friend for forty-four years starting back in the heady days of 1970’s London when every day was a new adventure. She was responsible for bringing Glenda and I together and was Glenda’s bridesmaid at our 1980 UK wedding. Moving overseas shortly afterwards, we always remained in contact and we would catch up whenever visiting the UK. We still owe her a reply to her Christmas message and will forever feel guilty for our tardiness in not replying earlier to that last message.
She had health issues as far back as we can remember but these never diminished her enjoyment of life and her positive, friendly approach to everyone she met. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Kath. We were lucky enough to spend time with her and Garry in Harrogate on our last UK visit in 2017- time we shall fondly remember and all the more poignant now.
Kath was the truest of friends and a very special lady. We are privileged to have known her and we will sorely miss her.
Steve and Glenda Leadenham
Sydney
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I have known Garry for over 50 years, first meeting in Eastleigh when we were 8 years old
Through Garry I met Kath and have known her for over 40 years.
I always found Kath to be above all gentle, very kind and interested.
We had many chats over the years, mostly when I was visiting Garry and I always enjoyed them.
In recent years my wife Beryl met Kath and we had several most enjoyable meals, the four of us, the most recent being last June, when we met Garry and Kath and had a great meal in the Ivy Harrogate, some lovely memories, and always such fun !
Both Beryl and I are so sorry, and Kath will be truly missed.
Love and prayers Ian and Beryl
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We first met Kath soon after she and Garry got together during our early careers in London. We frequently met up for dinners and pub evenings in Catford and then Harpenden. Kath was always warm and generous company, and when the boys came along, clearly a wonderful and devoted mum. We always looked forward to an evening or day out in her company. With Harrogate a convenient stopping point for any trips to the north, we would stop-over and spend some time with Kath and Garry, usually taking in places of local historical importance such as The Old Bell, the Slug and Lettuce, and the Harrogate Tap. Whatever the conversation, Kath was always interested in what others had to say, never opinionated or judgmental, and even when her health was suffering, upbeat and engaging. The last time we saw her was in September 2021, when we arranged to meet Kath and Garry at Sizergh Castle. We arrived when the gardens opened and left when the gardens closed, and lost count of the coffees we drank while sitting at a table under the trees while discussing our boys, memorable bygone days and aspirations for the future. We are so happy that our last few hours with Kath were spent at such an idyllic location and were so unrushed – it is a day that will linger long and affectionately in our memories. We reach out to Garry, Daniel and James with our sincere condolences at this sad time.
Richard and Margaret
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Kath was my friend for almost 47 years. As bright young things, we lived in a really grotty flat in super posh Kensington while we found our feet in London and in life. As grey-haired old ladies, we were looking forward to a proper catch-up and a frolic down memory lane in March 2020, or then possibly in spring 2022, but it wasn’t to be.
I could have done with some help on dates (when did we take your Mum round the Tower of London?) and our more mysterious adventures (how come we were friends with the bunch of carpenters from Milngavie who were working in the Houses of Parliament? how did Kit join the huge cast of characters in Melbury Road?) but I will just have to carry on guessing now.
Kath was kind and clever and funny. Goodbye, Hawkears, I will miss you.
Cysga’n dawel, Kath fach.
Alison
Aberystwyth