Kathleen takes a well earned rest after 67 years!

A popular 84-year-old Lancastrian is to retire next month after an amazing 67 years working in the same office.

Kathleen Kenyon, of Torrisholme Road, Lancaster, is to leave her role as administrator of the Lancaster Charity, which manages 65 almshouses in the area.

The remarkable octogenarian, who must be the area’s most senior employee, has worked at the Castle Park offices of Oglethorpe, Sturton and Gillibrand since 1944.

The former Dallas Road and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School pupil started at law firm Sturton and Son as secretary to solicitor Mr John Sturton in the 1940s.

She actually worked part-time in the general office during her school holidays when her mother was the chief clerk and accountant at the practice.

On leaving LGGS Kathleen went to Smarts Commercial College in Preston where she learned shorthand and typing, accountancy and business administration.

In 1953 John Sturton was appointed clerk and treasurer to what was then known as the Lancaster Charities and the headquarters of the organisation, founded in 1750, moved to Castle Park.

Over the years the organisation and the role grew as more almshouses, which enable senior citizens to retain their independence and to live in their local community, were added to the books.

Lancaster Charity, as it is now known, runs the almshouses and apartments at Penny’s Hospital in King Street, Queen Street, Jellyman House, Lindow House, Lindow Close, Regent Street and ten properties in Morecambe.

Kathleen, who has since worked for trustees Mr John Gillibrand and currently Mr Philip Oglethorpe, the current clerk, has been responsible for maintaining all records and for collecting monthly rents.

“The job has just got bigger and bigger over the years,” says Kathleen, who still works two days every week. “I have worked with some lovely people – faces have come and gone. I have certainly seen some big changes here including the introduction of electronic equipment which really changed the shape of the office. I still tend to keep most of the records, which go back to 1913, by hand although I use my computer for other things.”

Despite two knee replacement operations and major heart surgery, Kathleen, who received an MBE from the Queen in 2003, has an exemplary work record.

But on September 1 things are due to change when the Lancaster Charity moves out of the home it has shared with Oglethorpe, Sturton and Gillibrand for 58 years to a new base in Regent Street.

Kathleen will oversee the smooth transition to the new office and the hand-over to her successor Yvonne Kent.

An afternoon tea party to which charity trustees will be invited, is being hosted by OSG on September 16 to mark Kathleen’s amazing service record.

“I have been here since I was 18 so it will be very different for me and I shall miss it dreadfully,” added Kathleen, whose husband, Les, died 21 years ago.

She plans to continue with her role of joint producer for the famous Lancaster Red Rose Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, founded by her mother and Molly Cowen in 1936 and her membership of the social and learning group University of the Third Age (U3A).