FAMILY of a popular Redditch woman said goodbye to their loved one last Friday, October 4 by hiring a horse-drawn carriage for her funeral.
Vehicles came to a stop and pedestrians bowed their heads in respect as Kathlyn Ketley’s family walked alongside her carriage on its way to Redditch Crematorium.
The 68-year-old, whose roots are imbedded in Romany gypsie history, was a huge lover of horses but never owned one herself.
Her son, Paul Stokes, 48, said: “Because of her family background, we thought it would be nice to hire a horse-drawn carriage for her final service.
“Her passing has left a huge hole in all of our lives – we wanted to thank her for being such an incredible mum who was larger than life character in Redditch.
“She was in a white coffin because we wanted the service to be as upbeat as it possibly could be, and we had Michael Jackson ‘Beat It’ playing as she was taken inside.”
Known by many as ‘Kathy’, she also leaves behind another son, Nathan Stokes, 37, and two daughters Mel, and Tonia-louise Ketley who are Paul and Nathan’s half-sisters.
“Myself and Nathan also lost our dad, David, last year too,” said Paul, “It’s been a hard time for us but also for our sisters who are very young, only 26 and 27, and have lost their lovely mum.
“We cant thank Thomas Brothers enough for organising eveything and Redditch’s community for showing such respect as we walked by.”
Kathy was carried out of the service to the sound of Pet Shop Boys’ West End Girls.
“We love you mum,” added Paul.
