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Norwich: Kathleen Manning dies with asbestos cancer
Kathleen Manning, of Norwich, died in her bed last year after becoming increasingly ill during the last fortnight of her life.
The 84-year-old, who was a retired secretary and spent her entire working life at Norwich Union and Aviva, was pronounced dead at home on Sunday, December 18.
It was after her friend, who lived with her in her flat at Normandie Tower, Rouen Road, noticed she had stopped breathing before covering her with a blanket and calling 111.
Bogdan Balaca had became friends with Mrs Manning when they had volunteered together at a community hub in the city centre as kitchen staff.
He began living with her in April 2022 and helped to care for her. She was registered blind in August 2022.
The court heard how Mrs Manning was visited by a friend on Saturday, December 17 before she passed away, and that she had been unable to eat or drink properly for two weeks prior.
Police and paramedics were called to the property and she was declared dead on the morning of December 18.
The inquest into her death was led by the senior coroner Jacqueline Lake at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, on Thursday, June 2.
The court heard that Mrs Manning worked as an insurance secretary at Norwich Union, and subsequently Aviva, from 1961.
A postmorten revealed a large tumour in her chest and the medical cause of death was given as malignant mesothelioma, a type of asbstos-related cancer.
However, Mrs Lake added: “The evidence does not reveal the means by which she came into contact with asbestos.”
She confirmed that Kathleen Veronica Mary Manning was born on May 30, 1938, in Binham, between Fakenham and Holt. She recorded an open conclusion.
Although not present in court, Mrs Manning’s loved ones paid tribute to her via an announcement of her death in this paper.
Her cousins, Neil Chesher and sister Christine, said: “She was named after our mother, her auntie, Kitty.”
He went on to say her retirement party in Norwich had been “well attended” and that she had also been actively involved with the Dunkirk Society following on from her father’s death there.
She was an avid Norwich City FC supporter.
Friend, Lois Herrington (nee Holland), said they became friends at the age of 11 and met during their time as pupils at Fakenham Grammar School.
She said: “We became best friends and remained in touch for the rest of our lives.
“We both attended Kings Lynn Technical College and I went on to teacher training college and she got a job with the Norwich Union where she remained for the rest of her working life.
“She acted as my only bridesmaid in 1961 and acted as an auntie to my son and daughter.
“We kept in touch through letters and the occasional phone call, and she made many visits [to me]. The last time I saw her in person would have been maybe 20 years ago when I stayed in her home at Normandie Towers.
“Her father was killed during the Second World War and she lived with her mother for many years.
“Circumstances occurred which enabled her to discover how her father had died and he was awarded a posthumous award for bravery.
“Kathleen was a faithful friend to me.
“She will leave a big hole in my life and I will miss her greatly.”
