Tributes have been paid to a hairdresser who served generations of Liverpool women for more than 50 years.
Cathy Booth, who owned Cathy's of Garston, died on Sunday, February 7 after a period of poor health due to a heart condition.
Her shop moved from nearby Lincoln Street in 1996 to St Mary's Road, where it has been a fixture in the Garston community for the past 25 years.
Cathy moved to Garston in 1969 where she set up and lived above her shop with husband Bill.
The couple went on to have three daughters - Jane, Suzie and Katie.
Eldest daughter Jane, 50, told the ECHO why she thought her mum's business stood the test of time, and why it was more than just a hairdressers.
Jane said: "She would bend over backwards for people. She really cared about the individual.
"People would say to me things like, if I was going on holiday she would open up the shop at half six so my hair was done before I got on the flight.
"I've always called it an institution. All those clichés of it being a community hub doesn't even do it justice.
"If somebody hadn't come in that week my mum would phone them to check they were okay. Like her elderly customers.
"She wasn't worried that they didn't get their streaks done that week but she'd phone them just to check on them and say I haven't heard from your mum, is she okay? That kind of thing."
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In 2017, the ECHO ran a story on Cathy and her husband and business partner Bill.
Their loyal customers spoke about what made her shop so special.
Doreen Finnegan, a customer of and friend of the family for more than 40 years, said: "They are always there for their customers no matter what.
"Cathy’s isn’t just a place to get your hair done – it’s a place where you can share your worries, woes and happiness."
Elaine Stove said: “I have been a customer for 45 years, and it’s such a friendly atmosphere here.
"We don’t feel like customers because Cathy and Bill are friends. They make everyone feel so completely at home – coming here is just like going to a friend’s house."
Jane said up until last year, her mum was still managing the shop until her health meant she had to take a step back.
When the sad news of her death was posted on the Garston Past and Present Facebook page earlier this week, people took to the comments to express their sadness but also admiration for Cathy.
One woman posted: "Thinking of Bill and all the family, goodnight God bless Cathy you will be sadly missed by many people xx".
A customer said: "So Sad. Cathy did all my families hair myself included. Hard working lady. So sad. Condolences to all Cathy's family x".
While another poster said: "She loved Garston so much! Such a talented hairdresser, could have opened up anywhere but she loved the locals. Always such a hard worker - time to rest xx".
Although not originally from Garston, Jane said her mum loved the people so much that she always wanted to keep her shop there.
Jane said: "When she went to Garston the people took her under their wing and she loved them for that.
"She lost her dad fairly soon after she moved to Garston as well, she was only 23."
She added: "My mum knew Herbert and John Miller, all the big hair dressers in Liverpool. She would do competitions with them in her heyday.
"Herbert infamously said to her one day, why are you working in Garston Cathy? You could be working anywhere.
"And she replied because I love it and I love the people and the rent is cheap."
Jane said the family are in discussion as to what's going to happen with the business following Cathy's death, with some plans they may announce over the next few weeks.
She said: "Our intention is to continue to provide a service for the loyal customers and to continue her legacy.
"We would like to provide something for those who require employability skills with hairdressing at the centre of that.
"It's too early to say but that's the legacy we want for her."
The funeral for Catherine Mary Booth will take place on March 3.
On the Garston Past and Present group, Jane said her mum would make one last visit to her beloved shop.
She posted: "Cathy will make one last visit to the hairdressers on St. Mary’s Road on March 3rd.
"She will pause outside the shop around 12.30pm on her way to church. We will confirm the exact time on here as soon as we can.
"Anyone wishing to say their last socially distanced goodbye to Cathy outside her beloved hairdressers will be very welcome x Thank you all so much."
