Kathy Hutchinson, wife of WWEPA chairman, Alan Hutchinson, died in Stoke Mandeville hospital yesterday morning aged only 63.

Having undergone a kidney transplant 26 years ago, Kathy suffered many complications over the past few years culminating in blood lymphoma and had been in and out of hospital constantly in the past six months.

Kathy had been a great support to Alan when he set about forming WWEPA a decade ago. And when they needed their finances properly looked after in those early days, she volunteered to take over as Treasurer and still held that onerous post despite ailing health.

She was a valuable worker around the football club when Alan took over as the Blues’ secretary, and continued an active behind-the-scenes role when he was media boss for the Blues. It was in that unpaid role where she came in regular contact with Martin O’Neill during his five-year tenure. 

The former Wycombe boss was amongst the first to pay tribute today. He said: “Such sad, sad news. My heart goes out to Hutch. Kathy was so loyal to him in every respect and she will be sorely missed by not only her family but by all at the club.”

A former local councillor for four years, Kathy was well known in Bourne End where they lived and ran the family Crocs & Crystals family business. She was still working in the accounts department as Credit Controller of William Hands Furniture at the time of her death.

Hutch and Kathy first met back in 1974. They got together in 1986 and married in 1992 when she became a second mum to Alan’s boys Geoff and Richard.

John Maskell, president of WWEPA and a friend for many years, was among those to pay tribute.

He said: “Although working full-time and having to cope with a terrible run of serious illnesses, Kathy did a sterling job for us as well as supporting Hutch in all his efforts for the Association and at the club before. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this very sad time.”

Funeral details will be announced in due course.