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I knew Kate from my childhood neighbourhood. As a little girl, Kate always encouraged me to do what I was passionate about, especially when it came to my little sketches. I would sit at her dining table and draw, and she would speak so much life and encouragement into me. She made me feel like I could do anything, like I was Picasso, even though… not quite, haha. Kate has always been a person I think of when I refer to my childhood, and I truly believe she shaped a part of who I am today and has given me the audacity in life to pursue whatever my heart desires. That is a lesson I hope to give my children, and knowing she left me with that, I am so truly grateful. Rest in Peace, Kate. You have left an undeniable mark on us all.
Love,
Thandiwe
I had hoped to honour Kate by attending her memorial service but sadly medical issues intervened . It became important, therefore, for me to write something here instead but it is a poor substitute for sharing memories and tributes in person with Cordelia and their friends.
I worked with Kate for eighteen years at Skinners and always found her to be a gentle, kind person, who was extremely supportive of me when I was nervously returning to teaching after a six year ‘child break’. I was based in the Lower School initially and felt very much like a new girl as teaching had changed so much in my absence but Kate (and Cordelia) were always patient and on hand to answer any questions I had as I tried to get on top of initiatives like the new to me National Curriculum and Ofsted.
As I progressed up the professional ladder and became Head of the Languages department, Kate continued to be supportive when I had to cope with difficult staffing situations, but she was always fair and firm and , as Cordelia has said in her own tribute, Kate was brilliant at conflict resolution and had no hesitation in pulling me up, when she thought quite rightly I had acted a little unwisely, which we all do at times!
On a personal level, Kate was always very sympathetic of the conflicts working mothers can experience and showed genuine concern when my children were sick. I also remember well the consideration she showed on the day my mother died. She ushered me into the Head’s room to take the call from my brother-in-law, seeming to have a sixth sense that the news was not good and that I would need privacy and support. I suppose it was rare for me to get phone calls at school from family members and her intuition told her it must be serious.
Another memory which stands out for me is when Kate announced over the tannoy during break one day that Margaret Thatcher had just resigned! There were cheers throughout the Lower School as we all rejoiced in the downfall of the ‘Milk Snatcher’. Sadly I do wonder whether she would have been comfortable doing something like that today, when, it seems to me, teachers have to be more guarded in what they say and they do.
Yes, Kate was a free spirit, kind, cheerful and loved by both pupils and staff, but also thoroughly professional, decisive and totally in command of all she had to do. It is so, so sad that she lost some of these qualities in her final years but I am glad I can record the positives here.
Cordelia, my heart goes out to you – you were so good together and you looked after her so well.
Jacqui
I met Kate when working as the Westminster Dementia Adviser. She was such a loving, kind and beautiful human being. A reminiscence therapy project enabled me to learn a lot about her life, her childhood, studies, career, values, lifelong interests and passions. Despite having dementia, she retained incredible social skills and unparalleled emotional intelligence, as well as a wonderful sense of humour, something I will never forget. Despite her dementia progressing, she always understood what was important, and what mattered in life. We shared so many beautiful moments talking about the past, present and future, and I feel so honoured that I was able to spend many precious moments getting to know her.
Cordelia, I am so sorry for your loss and I am sending you lots of love and strength at this difficult time – Kate was so lucky to have you as her soulmate, and a loving carer when she needed it. You were both, and you still are, a huge source of inspiration.
Lots of love,
Terezie
I knew Kate for nearly 30 years through my friendship with Cordelia. Kate was such a kind and generous person. She always greeted me with a big smile and made me feel very welcome whenever I visited. She would be knitting away or reading while Cordelia and I chatted but would then come with cups of tea and join in the conversation. I will always cherish the lovely memories I have of Kate. One particular memory is of Kate playing cricket and football with my son, Jay, when he was a young lad in their garden in Picardie. Kate was a truly special person and a big loss especially to my dear friend Cordelia.
I only met my Great Auntie Kath a handful of times but I’ll always remember how wonderfully kind her and Cordelia were to me when I moved to London from the other side of the world as a bright eyed 21 year old. It was always very re-assuring to know she had an eye out for me if I needed it. It’s very sad to hear of her passing, a presence such as hers is rare in this world and will be sorely missed.
Spidery eye lashes. That was my first memory of Aunty Kath. Our family stayed with her in London when I was about 7 years old. She was so glamorous and lying in bed with her sheets pulled up and she would flutter her spidery eyelashes on my cheek and make me giggle. I thought she was a goddess with black mascara.
Whenever I saw my aunty Kath over the preceding years she was warm, kind and I wished we had spent more time together.
Years marched on. I had a son, Jack. He went to live in London when he was 21. Aunty Kath and Cordelia were there for him and helped him navigate being a slightly scared young man in England.
XXX♥️
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ms Condliffe, a wonderful teacher to myself and my sister and then a great colleague to myself when I worked at skinners. She always had a beaming smile and was never too busy to help, she got me through a very tough time in the last year of skinners and for that I am eternally grateful. Such a wonderful being, she will never be forgotten.
Kate was a teacher at Skinner’s Company’s Grammer School for girls when I was there from 1970-1976. We then met up in the 1990s when I worked for Hackney Education and then in Gayhurst and Gainsborough Primary Schools. When I still called her Mrs Condliffe until she said I should call her Kate. I also met Marc during that time.
Kate was a great teacher, supportive colleague and lovely person.
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Kate Condliffe. She was a wonderful teacher and an incredible colleague, and her presence will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She made a lasting impact on everyone around her.
Miss Condliffe, as I knew her, was nothing but inspiring!
I was a student at Skinners 83-88. I loved every minute of my time there and remember Miss Condliffe with affection and warmth.
I’ve just purchased her book and look forward to spending time with her as I read it.
The world was blessed to have her in it.
“Grief is the price we pay for love “
Ms Condliffe was one of my favourite teachers at Skinners. She had an easy kindness about her, and it felt like she genuinely cared about us. I remember when a classmate’s parent had died and on the day she was due back Ms Condliffe gathered us together beforehand and gave us space to ask questions and talk through the awkwardness that many of us were feeling about what to say to our friend. It helped us massively and I’ll always remember the kindness and care she gave us all that day. Sending my condolences.
I knew Kate from my childhood neighbourhood. As a little girl, Kate always encouraged me to do what I was passionate about, especially when it came to my little sketches. I would sit at her dining table and draw, and she would speak so much life and encouragement into me. She made me feel like I could do anything, like I was Picasso, even though… not quite, haha. Kate has always been a person I think of when I refer to my childhood, and I truly believe she shaped a part of who I am today and has given me the audacity in life to pursue whatever my heart desires. That is a lesson I hope to give my children, and knowing she left me with that, I am so truly grateful. Rest in Peace, Kate. You have left an undeniable mark on us all.
Love,
Thandiwe
I had hoped to honour Kate by attending her memorial service but sadly medical issues intervened . It became important, therefore, for me to write something here instead but it is a poor substitute for sharing memories and tributes in person with Cordelia and their friends.
I worked with Kate for eighteen years at Skinners and always found her to be a gentle, kind person, who was extremely supportive of me when I was nervously returning to teaching after a six year ‘child break’. I was based in the Lower School initially and felt very much like a new girl as teaching had changed so much in my absence but Kate (and Cordelia) were always patient and on hand to answer any questions I had as I tried to get on top of initiatives like the new to me National Curriculum and Ofsted.
As I progressed up the professional ladder and became Head of the Languages department, Kate continued to be supportive when I had to cope with difficult staffing situations, but she was always fair and firm and , as Cordelia has said in her own tribute, Kate was brilliant at conflict resolution and had no hesitation in pulling me up, when she thought quite rightly I had acted a little unwisely, which we all do at times!
On a personal level, Kate was always very sympathetic of the conflicts working mothers can experience and showed genuine concern when my children were sick. I also remember well the consideration she showed on the day my mother died. She ushered me into the Head’s room to take the call from my brother-in-law, seeming to have a sixth sense that the news was not good and that I would need privacy and support. I suppose it was rare for me to get phone calls at school from family members and her intuition told her it must be serious.
Another memory which stands out for me is when Kate announced over the tannoy during break one day that Margaret Thatcher had just resigned! There were cheers throughout the Lower School as we all rejoiced in the downfall of the ‘Milk Snatcher’. Sadly I do wonder whether she would have been comfortable doing something like that today, when, it seems to me, teachers have to be more guarded in what they say and they do.
Yes, Kate was a free spirit, kind, cheerful and loved by both pupils and staff, but also thoroughly professional, decisive and totally in command of all she had to do. It is so, so sad that she lost some of these qualities in her final years but I am glad I can record the positives here.
Cordelia, my heart goes out to you – you were so good together and you looked after her so well.
Jacqui
I met Kate when working as the Westminster Dementia Adviser. She was such a loving, kind and beautiful human being. A reminiscence therapy project enabled me to learn a lot about her life, her childhood, studies, career, values, lifelong interests and passions. Despite having dementia, she retained incredible social skills and unparalleled emotional intelligence, as well as a wonderful sense of humour, something I will never forget. Despite her dementia progressing, she always understood what was important, and what mattered in life. We shared so many beautiful moments talking about the past, present and future, and I feel so honoured that I was able to spend many precious moments getting to know her.
Cordelia, I am so sorry for your loss and I am sending you lots of love and strength at this difficult time – Kate was so lucky to have you as her soulmate, and a loving carer when she needed it. You were both, and you still are, a huge source of inspiration.
Lots of love,
Terezie
Thank you for always being friendly and kind when ever we saw each other. You will be missed I’m so glad i met such an amazing person like u
I knew Kate for nearly 30 years through my friendship with Cordelia. Kate was such a kind and generous person. She always greeted me with a big smile and made me feel very welcome whenever I visited. She would be knitting away or reading while Cordelia and I chatted but would then come with cups of tea and join in the conversation. I will always cherish the lovely memories I have of Kate. One particular memory is of Kate playing cricket and football with my son, Jay, when he was a young lad in their garden in Picardie. Kate was a truly special person and a big loss especially to my dear friend Cordelia.
We are very sorry to hear the sad news that Kate is not with us any more. We do remember her coming to our shop with Cordelia to have her hot chocolate. She will be remembered with her lovely big smile
I only met my Great Auntie Kath a handful of times but I’ll always remember how wonderfully kind her and Cordelia were to me when I moved to London from the other side of the world as a bright eyed 21 year old. It was always very re-assuring to know she had an eye out for me if I needed it. It’s very sad to hear of her passing, a presence such as hers is rare in this world and will be sorely missed.
Spidery eye lashes. That was my first memory of Aunty Kath. Our family stayed with her in London when I was about 7 years old. She was so glamorous and lying in bed with her sheets pulled up and she would flutter her spidery eyelashes on my cheek and make me giggle. I thought she was a goddess with black mascara.
Whenever I saw my aunty Kath over the preceding years she was warm, kind and I wished we had spent more time together.
Years marched on. I had a son, Jack. He went to live in London when he was 21. Aunty Kath and Cordelia were there for him and helped him navigate being a slightly scared young man in England.
XXX♥️
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ms Condliffe, a wonderful teacher to myself and my sister and then a great colleague to myself when I worked at skinners. She always had a beaming smile and was never too busy to help, she got me through a very tough time in the last year of skinners and for that I am eternally grateful. Such a wonderful being, she will never be forgotten.
Kate was a teacher at Skinner’s Company’s Grammer School for girls when I was there from 1970-1976. We then met up in the 1990s when I worked for Hackney Education and then in Gayhurst and Gainsborough Primary Schools. When I still called her Mrs Condliffe until she said I should call her Kate. I also met Marc during that time.
Kate was a great teacher, supportive colleague and lovely person.
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Kate Condliffe. She was a wonderful teacher and an incredible colleague, and her presence will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She made a lasting impact on everyone around her.
Very approachable. Easy to talk to, never too busy to listen to a colleague. Much respected Deputy Head with a warm smile..
My sincere condolences .
Miss Condliffe, as I knew her, was nothing but inspiring!
I was a student at Skinners 83-88. I loved every minute of my time there and remember Miss Condliffe with affection and warmth.
I’ve just purchased her book and look forward to spending time with her as I read it.
The world was blessed to have her in it.
“Grief is the price we pay for love “
Ms Condliffe was one of my favourite teachers at Skinners. She had an easy kindness about her, and it felt like she genuinely cared about us. I remember when a classmate’s parent had died and on the day she was due back Ms Condliffe gathered us together beforehand and gave us space to ask questions and talk through the awkwardness that many of us were feeling about what to say to our friend. It helped us massively and I’ll always remember the kindness and care she gave us all that day. Sending my condolences.
It was a pleasure and privilege to have known Kate for the last 4 years of her life. I just wish I had met her earlier.