Noon on St Valentine’s Day saw the Parish Church of St Mary and St Peter at Salcombe Regis packed to overflowing as friends and family came together to celebrate the life of Kathy Boorman, writes Peter Whitfield.

The long-time resident of Beer and for many years the organist at Salcombe Regis, a church which she loved, died suddenly and unexpectedly the evening after playing for the Sunday service on January 22. She suffered a severe stroke at her home and was found only after not being seen as usual around the village on the Monday.

Kathleen, known to all as Kathy, had a wide range of interests and was an active participant in community life.

Her allotment was a frequent source of courgettes, gourds, berries and flowers for the church congregation.

Even though she lived in Beer, she was a regular at the Salcombe Regis church’s social events and, often with dog Dusty, at the summer Sunday afternoon churchyard teas. Her organ skills led the congregation Sunday by Sunday, festival by festival, choir practices in preparation for the carol service, Easter, Good Friday, harvest festivals - lots of devoted and loyal service.

She was a great knitter, organised the raffles at Beer Film Society’s monthly meetings, played the organ at Beer church for mid-week services and was an ambassador for The Donkey Sanctuary, among many other things in her full and faith-based life.

At the service, led by the Reverend Robin Laird, tributes were paid to Kathy by family members, who recalled her childhood escapades as well as her qualities as mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed.