2 March 1928 – 8 January 2021
The pioneering Observer journalist, columnist and agony aunt is remembered by her devoted personal assistant for her kindness, intelligence and sense of fun
In the early 1980s, an advert for the job of Katharine’s personal assistant was posted on the noticeboard at the Observer. I was working in promotions and I wanted it so much because I just loved her, I was a huge fan. Like everyone who read her column, I felt I already knew her – she was so bold and fearless, frank and funny, writing about current issues in her very personal way.
When she got my job application, she rang me and asked me to come and have a chat. It was the strangest interview. Not a word about whether I could type or do shorthand. It was: “Do you want a cigarette? Is there a man in your life?” We chatted, she dispensed lots of advice, then she just gave me the job – and I loved it and I loved her.
