TIME TO PUT YOUR FEET UP, KATH
RIP Newcastle United’s legendary tea lady
Reporter TRIBUTES have poured in to Newcastle United tea lady Kath Cassidy who has died.
Kath, who served tea to some of the Magpies’ greatest during a 49-year career at the club, died suddenly but peacefully at her care home on Monday, with daughter Mary by her side.
Kath, of Wallsend, was well loved by many associated with the club, including Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan - and even as far back as Jackie Milburn, Newcastle’s centre forward who helped the club to three FA Cup victories in the 1950s.
Paying tribute to his late mother, Terry Cassidy, 50, said: “She was the most loving person I’ve ever met.
“Everybody who came into contact with her said what a loving, giving person she was. My phone has not stopped with people paying tributes, sending condolences and saying what a fantastic woman she was.
“It brings a tear reading them all and it’s a comfort to know that everybody loved her. She always made time for everybody and always had so much love for everybody. She was just an incredible person like that.”
Kath had recently been unwell after suffering a chest infection, but Terry said her death came as a shock as she was just starting to pick up.
She retired from her role at St James’ Park in 2015 after suffering a stroke and a heart attack.
“There’d be a list as long as your arm of explayers and managers who she served tea to over the years. And they all loved her,” Terry said.
“Her favourite in recent years was definitely Alan Pardew. There was a lot from him that went unseen or unnoticed.
“He always gave her a great big Christmas present that would have cost a lot of money and it was just because he really liked her.
“He sent things to the care home too. This Christmas he sent a beautiful card and a scarf for her and a bit of perfume. Honestly, what a really, really kind man.
“Kevin Keegan came back for Peter Beardsley’s testimonial. He went over and I’ve got a picture of him as he gave her a big kiss.
“It was just like old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time. That’s one of my favourite photographs.
“Everyone knew her as Kath, the legendary tea lady, but we knew her as mam. To us she was just the best. She would give us her last pound or penny.
“Back in the day she would just make food for everybody and there always a house full. She always loved having people around her.
“We’ve got a big family but she loved having everyone around, right up until the end she used to love everybody coming in and everybody chatting away. Her house was always noisy and she loved it.”
The family had only all just gathered a few weeks earlier to celebrate Kath’s 90th birthday in January.
Most of the family had attended a little tea party and Terry said she had absolutely loved it.
Kath’s legacy, as well as her kind and loving nature, will most certainly be her famous brews. Even Terry will miss those. “We’ll miss those cups of tea, of course. “She’s well known at Newcastle United for her cups of tea and she made them for the best of them.”