She loved all ... and was loved by all

Kitty was born in London's East End on March 26, 1926 to Lew and Dora Spero.

One of five daughters, she adored her sisters Marie, Sylvia, Renee & Nettie.

As a teenager, she was evacuated and lived with a family in Virginia Water, Surrey to escape the bombings in London during World War II.

Kitty always struggled with Mathematics at school but excelled at Art and attended London Art College.

She later worked at DH Evans department store in London and, in 1952, married Harold Selby, who she had met at The Harmony Club.

In 1954 she gave birth to Stephen ... David came along in 1957 .... and in 1966, Matthew arrived.  

On June 2, 1968, tragedy struck. A family outing to Margate. A burst tyre on the A2, en route to Kent. A horrific car crash. Harold, David & Dora died. Stephen & Matthew survived. 

Kitty was rushed to hospital but was not expected to survive. Harold & David were buried next to each other ... and a third space was reserved next to them for Kitty, who was expected to join them any day.

13 year old Stephen & 2 year old Matthew went to live with their Aunts in London and Canada respectively.

Kitty fought on in hospital for over a year until, miraculously, in 1970, she was well enough to be discharged.

Kitty, Stephen & Matthew were reunited and lived in a flat in South Woodford which would be the family home for the next 30 years.

Kitty later found love and happiness again with Malcolm ('Mac') and they were married in 1986. 

When Mac passed away in 1999, Kitty moved to Florida where Matthew had been living for the past several years. She had her own apartment, enjoyed the sunshine and change of lifestyle, and was blessed with three grandchildren who she absolutely adored - Jenna (2001), Tiffany (2005) & Emma (2006).

When Matthew and the family decided to move back to London in 2011, the plan was that Kitty, now 85, would again have her own flat.  Unfortunately, a bad fall shortly before returning to the U.K. severely affected her mobility and she lived in a Care Home in Epping for her final 11 years. This allowed Kitty to receive the 24/7 care and attention she needed, not least from the wonderful Rita who fell in love with Kitty from Day 1 and has been an absolute angel. 

Kitty adored the Bee Gees, Torvill & Dean, her bagels every Sunday morning ... but most of all she adored her family.  And they adored her.

It is no exaggeration to say that EVERYONE that met Kitty loved her.  They loved her humility.  They loved her selflessness.  They loved her sense of humour. From the East End to South Woodford to Canada to Florida to New York, Kitty touched hearts and people fell in love with her.

As she neared the end, she fought and she fought ... she beat double pneumonia ... she beat Covid ... she amazed her doctors and carers, none of whom could believe how strong she was. 

But now, her time has come to finally join Harold and David in that spot that she was expected to fill in 1968.

No more fighting ... enjoy your rest, Kitty.  You have had an amazing, incredible journey ... have blessed everyone you have ever come into contact with ... and will never be forgotten.

She loved all ... and was loved by all xxx

See Kitty's life-story at https://youtu.be/l5Y2d6XbQAs 

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