The woman who taught Mansfield to sing dies aged 96

Mrs Cox, of Cromwell Street passed away in hospital on Wednesday October 26.

Her daughter Julia Bull said: “My mother was a much loved lady who loved her music and was very proud of what she had achieved in Mansfield.

“Music was her life and she has been involved in it since she was seven years old.”

Tinkling the ivories and singing was more than just a pass-time for Mrs Cox- it was a way of life.

Kathleen was the driving force behind two of the area’s leading choirs for more than 40 years until she retired aged 83- the prize-winning Mansfield and District Co-operative Ladies’ and Girls’ choirs.

She started conducting in 1956 when she formed the Sutton Co-operative Girls’ choir with husband Sydney.

As conductor Kathleen was in charge of everything from arranging the music to painting the posters.

In 1958 she formed the Sutton Co-operative ladies’ Choir which expanded to include Mansfield.

Kathleen had a proud display of trophies at her Cromwell Street home in Mansfield including top awards from the prestigious Llangollen Eisteddfod and the Teeside International Eisteddfod in 1967.

The choirs were given a civic reception in the Town Hall for their performing achievements after the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

The choirs also took pride of place for two years running in the BBC Radio 4 competition Let The People Sing.

She performed in a series of concerts at the Palace Theatre where a civic reception was held for her 80th birthday, to mark her contribution to music in Mansfield. In 1986 she formed the Kathleen Cox Singers for the over 50s, which performed Old Time variety show in the Palace Theatre.

She is survived by her son Simon Cox and daughters Sylvia and Julia, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Mrs Bull added: “Music filled our home for as long as I can remember.

She taught generations of pupils - some s were little girls then and are well in to their 70s now.

“We did a lot of concerts and festivals in the Palace Theatre. “She loved music, it was her world - she could get anybody to sing. She would say come and have ago and I will teach you.

“My mother has so much history in Mansfield - she needs to be recognised. She was never a pushy person she did it for the love of music.” A funeral will be held at Mansfield Crematorium on Thursday November 10.