A DEVOTED couple – who lived for their family and each other – have died just weeks apart.
Kath and Wally Bird, of Edge Avenue, Scartho, were well known for their love of spending time with their daughters Denise and Jackie, five grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.
Sadly, Kath, 83, died on March 7, after suffering blood clots following knee surgery.
Wally, 81, died on March 22, from pneumonia and septicaemia – although his daughters believe he couldn't face life without Kath.
The couple met in the Army and were married in Kidderminster Register Office in 1951.
Later Wally brought his young bride Kath – who had been born and raised on a farm in Broughtyferry, Scotland – to Cleethorpes, where the family settled.
For a number of years, the couple ran Brown's Fish and Chip shop in Albion Street, before Wally went on to work as a lifeguard at Orwell Street Baths and Scartho Baths and later worked at Grimsby Hospital.
However, there was still plenty of opportunity for him to show off his legendary sense of humour – which had seen him employed as Bepe the Clown before the war broke out.
Kath also worked throughout her life, taking up posts at Carters and F A Would's builders, then later at Tates Head Office before she retired in 1990.
Another of the couple's loves were animals and they could always be relied on to find a zoo on any day out.
A particular favourite of Wally's were monkeys, and for a time he bred marmosets and squirrel monkeys.
Despite Wally's fear of flying, the couple also loved to travel, particularly taking cruises.
The couple's funeral will be tomorrow from 11.40am at Grimsby Crematorium. Donations can be made to the Blue Cross in memory of their beloved dog Toby.
