"She...treated everyone with the utmost respect and kindness"

Thursday 29 December 2022

Tributes to a "treasured wife, mother, and grandmother" have been paid to 73-year-old Kathleen McGinness who was confirmed this week to have been the tenth islander to die following the recent Pier Road explosion.

Police confirmed that she passed away in hospital on Christmas Day.

Tributes have been paid across social media in recent days, and yesterday her former employer, Highlands College, described to Express how they remembered her:

"Kath worked across several areas of Highlands College over many years, and latterly for Professional Development and as P.A. to Dr. Jones. All who knew her will remember a kind and caring person; professional, perceptive, and understanding of other's needs. Most of all, she was a treasured wife, mother, and grandmother."

 Jo Terry-Marchant, Principal of Highlands College, added “I gained a lot personally from Kath’s support and guidance, she had a wealth of knowledge and expertise and treated everyone with the utmost respect and kindness.

"We send our heartfelt condolences from the Highlands community to Kath’s family, grandchildren and friends."

Ms McGinness  lived in one of the Haut du Mont blocks next to the one which collapsed on the 10 December, and had been treated in hospital ever since the explosion, which Police say is "likely" to have been caused by a gas leak. 

Sandra Goldhawk, a friend of Ms McGinness, said they had met around 50 years ago.

"I cannot believe that she is gone. We would bump into each other every two or three weeks. She was the kindest, softest, gentlest [person], she always had a smile on her face,' she added. "Her kids were her life.'"

Last week, Police confirmed that post-mortem examinations for the nine people who died in the actual explosion have now been completed.

Police said inquest is now due to be opened later this week.

"The nine Islanders that were named as missing residents have now been formally identified and officers across the SoJP and Government are assisting with the next steps so that families can begin to make funeral arrangements.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the families and friends affected by this tragedy. They continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

"It is anticipated that the Deputy Viscount will open the inquests next Friday, 30th December, and adjourn them whilst the police investigation continues.

"Detectives will continue their enquiries throughout the Festive period and a cordon of the site will remain in place into the New Year, with specialist scientific work expected to last several weeks."

The Islanders now confirmed to have died is Kathy McGinness (73), 72-year-old Peter Bowler, 71-year-old Raymond (Raymie) Brown, Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken (72) and Jane Ralph (71) and Billy Marsden (63).