Sim

Past and Present

21 October 2003

Sim/Simm - from the Middle English name of Simme, a short form of Simon.

Kitty Simm

Although Kitty was not my natural Grandmother I grew up knowing her and loving her as if she was. I have many happy memories of times we shared and outings we had, memories which will last a life time.

At some point I hope to find out more about her family, but at the moment all I have is listed below.

She was born Christina Simm (but went by the name of Kitty) on the 5th of July 1914, the illegitimate daughter of Lily Lofthouse Simm of 58 Honey Pot Lane, Darlington and Abraham Hughff, a farmer. She was baptised at St Paul's Church, Darlington on the 19th of July 1914.

She was given up by her mother at a young age and was brought up by the Catchpole family.

It is not believed that she legally took the Catchpole name but on some documents she was Christina Catchpole and on others Christina Simm.

When she was in her early teens it is told that her mother came to see her and on hearing her mother's voice she hid upstairs and refused to see her. This is believed to be the last time she had contact with her natural mother.

Kitty attended Haverton Hill School, Darlington until the age of 14 where she was a model pupil as the report below shows.

DARLINGTON EDUCATION COMMITTEE

School H Hill Senior Date Oct 23rd 1928

Kitty Catchpole has been at this school for the last three years and is now in Ex VII. During that time she has been a regular attender and a most industrious worker. She has good ability and a very charming disposition. I can strongly recommend her for any situation for which she may care to apply.

R Healey? Hd. Teacher

Kitty went to live in London for a while where she became a member of the Church Army/Salvation Army. She later returned to Darlington.

Electoral Registers for 1947 show Christina Simm at 143 Longfield Road, Darlington.

On her return to Darlington, she worked in the canteen at North Road Shops where she met Harry Ethelbert Barras. They were married in 1952 and she became stepmother to Margaret and David Barras.

She went on to work at Paton and Baldwin's wool factory sometime in the 1950's until she retired.

During her married life she lived at 143 Longfield Road and later at 26 Hazel Avenue, Darlington.

Kitty was widowed on September 25th 1987. She maintained her independence and remained living at Hazel Avenue for a further 11 years until her death as the result of a stroke on Wednesday 26th August 1998, aged 84 years. A service was held at St Matthew + St Luke's Church, Darlington on Thursday 3rd September 1998 followed by private cremation at Darlington crematorium.

Upon her death the following poem was found, written in Kitty's own hand. It is not known from where the poem came but it obviously meant a lot to her. It was read out at her funeral service as it epitomized the outlook Kitty had on life.

I May Never See Tomorrow

I may never see tomorrow,

there's no written guarantee,

and the things that happened yesterday

belong to history.

I can't predict the future,

I can't change the past,

I have just this present moment,

I must treat it as my last.

I must use this moment wisely,

for it will soon pass away

and be lost to me forever

as part of yesterday.

I must exercise compassion,

help the fallen to their feet,

be a friend unto the friendless,

make an empty life complete.

The unkindest thing I do today

may never be undone,

and friendship that I fail to win

may never more be won.

I may not have another chance

on bended knees to pray,

and to thank God with a humble heart

for giving me this day.

Kitty's one claim to fame was that during the second world war she stood next to the actor Clark Gable on the platform of Bank Top Station, Darlington. She is said to have asked him if it was true what was said about him being a good kisser and his answer was a kiss on the lips for her!

Memories of Kitty

1933