TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Cowdenbeath’s best known entertainers, Cathie Kyle, who passed away last Sunday (December 10).

An amazing singer, Cathie teamed up with many groups and individuals, to entertain throughout the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area over many decades, and also well beyond.

Cathie, 87, was brought up in Lumphinnans, but stayed the majority of her life in Cowdenbeath, and when she left school she worked for a time in the accounts department of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society.

However, she spent many years bringing up her children, Irene and Billy, and her late daughter Heather and late son John.

Central Fife Times: Cathie loved helping people enjoy themselves and singing was simply her life.Cathie loved helping people enjoy themselves and singing was simply her life. (Image: Contributed)

After the family had grown-up she went back into work with Pearl Assurance in the town.

Daughter, Irene Wilson, recalled: “Mum started singing when just three years old, and as her voice developed it was something that people loved to hear, and she joined up with George Kyle (who she later married) and Anne Moffat in a small entertainment group, which was welcomed in many venues throughout the area.

“Later she worked with Anne Moffat and Ella Scott, in the Us Girls group, who spent many hours going around the local residential homes, entertaining senior citizens.

“At her best she shared stages with well-known artistes Barbara Dickson and Jimmy Shand; she simply loved entertaining people.”

Cathie enjoyed singing in Cowdenbeath, and in 1997 she was chosen as the town’s Citizen of the Year, and loved helping lead the gala parade.

Another accolade which came to her was a Paul Harris Award Fellowship, from Cowdenbeath Rotary Club, and current club president, John Gilfillan, said: “Cathie was an amazing singer, and she helped us out many times entertaining at events, and receiving the Paul Harris Award was very fitting.

“From a personal point of view, she liked singing traditional Scottish songs, and joined me during the Burns Season, at many a Burns Supper.”

Daughter Irene concluded: “Mum loved helping people enjoy themselves, and singing was simply her life.”

Cathie is also survived by eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, and her funeral will take place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Thursday, January 4, at 11am.