Kathleen Winifred Baldwin Sherman
March 17, 1922-November 18, 2009

TRIBUTE
Kathleen Sherman was a committed Christian and chocolate lover. She was the oldest daughter in a family of six and was born and brought up in Shepherd’s Bush. During the many illnesses of her own mother, she became the primary caretaker for the entire family. A childhood accident left her with chronic back pain, but throughout her life she was know for her helping hand and sunny personality.In earlier life she was a civil servant and a singer, playing leading roles for the West London Operatic Society. It was here that her relationship with Jack Sherman, who was the Musical Director, grew and blossomed. They married and together had their son Geoffrey. His arrival was something of a triumph over difficult circumstances as Jack and Kathleen were bombed out of their home twice and Kathleen faced some health problems which meant that the pregnancy and birth were not straightforward.
Kathleen doted on Geoffrey and, even in later life, delighted in his company. As a child he suffered ill health and Kathleen made sure that she knew what the school curriculum was so that she could ensure that Geoffrey kept up with his lessons. Living in such a musical household Geoffrey was able to read music almost before he could read words and it was Kathleen who encouraged him to become a choirboy at the unusually young age of six. She also encouraged his violin lessons and has been supportive and proud of him throughout his life.
With her husband, Jack, she ran the family woollen business. She did all sorts of things and including planning trips North to visit woollen mills. She enjoyed these trips and, as on all car journeys, acted as a human navigation system. Not only did she provide directions, but also a running commentary of the road ahead.
For years Jack continued to run the West London Operatic Society and also gave singing lessons at home. Kathleen supported these endeavours by making sure that the house ran smoothly – dinner was always on the table promptly at six. In addition to Jack and Geoffrey, Kathleen’s wider family also benefited from her love and nurture and her cousin Audrey, who is with us today, looked on her as something of a godmother.
Kathleen’s caring nature came to the fore when she looked after, and nursed at different times, both her mother in law and sister in law in her own home. As an active member of the St. Dunstan's Mother's Union, she opened her house to all in need. On one occasion a young Australian child who needed a heart operation only available at Hammersmith Hospital was welcomed into the family home. Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, the girl eventually died, but it’s just one example of Kathleen’s kindness.
Kathleen was one of those people who had the ability to talk to anyone and often did – a character trait that embarrassed Geoffrey as a child.
In later years her twice weekly shopping trips in East Acton could take hours. This was partly because of her poor mobility and partly because she stopped to talk to all and sundry almost as if she was at a local village high street rather than West London.
Kathleen attended Geoffrey and Diana’s wedding in the States and she was a sweet grandma to Alice. Kathleen continued to run the family firm for some years after Jack’s death, until ill health forced her retirement and, on one of their trips to England the family were put to good use in the shop – Geoffrey going through the accounts and Diana and Alice in the stock room. On her last trip to their home Kathleen enjoyed spending time looking out of the window and watching the squirrels. She always loved animals.
Kathleen is remembered by her family for her salads and her desserts; and her green thumb resulted in a profusion of plant life throughout her home and garden. She was a gentle, pleasant person. For the last ten years of her life she suffered from progressive dementia, but she remained a sweet and socializing influence to the end. Children always warmed to her and in turn she loved them. Perhaps it’s fitting to finish this tribute with some words from her granddaughter Alice who simply said, ‘she was the cutest little lady, cuddly and cooing’. So today we pay tribute to Kathleen’s achievements, to her sweet nature and to a life well lived.