BRIDPORT: Heartfelt tributes have been paid following the death of a ‘friendly and inspirational’ woman who was also one of West Dorset’s oldest residents.

Kathleen Rosher, 103, passed away on Saturday, September 6 at the Harbour House care home in West Bay, where she had lived since 1997.

She was a popular resident as well as a much loved sister to two brothers, Fred and Francis Rosher, and two sisters, Elizabeth and Evelyn Rosher.

Kathleen’s friend of more than 60 years, Anna Leenhoven, 93, described her as an ‘incredibly caring woman who gave most of her life to her family’.

Mrs Leenhoven added: “Kathleen inspired hundreds of children working as a teacher and her whole family were very creative and artistic.

“She was also a Christian Scientist, unusual at the time.”

“She looked after her brother Fred’s son from the age of two.”

Kathleen was born in Inval, Haslemere, in 1911 before moving to San Francisco with her family in 1919 until 1937.

The family moved to Surrey, and during the 1950s she worked as an art teacher at a school in Watford.

On Saturdays, she also worked at the Geffrye Museum in London as part of the Inner London Education Authority for 24 years.

Kathleen then moved to Magdalene Lane in Bridport with her family around 30 years ago before moving into a self-contained flat at Harbour House care home.

Anna, who lives in Holland, has written weekly letters to Kathleen since they first met and has visited Kathleen at least once a year since the 1950s. The friends even got together in West Bay to help Kathleen celebrate her 103rd birthday back in April this year, and last Christmas Anna paid Kathleen a surprise visit.

Anna Filsell, manager at Harbour House care home, said: “The good thing about Harbour House is that we have a guest room, so Anna could visit Kathleen whenever she wanted. Kathleen’s whole life was about classical music, art and nature.

“She absolutely loved the Royal family and on her 100th birthday adored getting her telegram from the Queen. She was a very popular resident here at the home and was adored by staff that doted on her – she will be missed very much.”

Kathleen’s funeral was held at Weymouth Crematorium on Tuesday, September 16.

Her ashes will be scattered at her family home in Surrey.