Kathy Staff

Kathy Staff (born Minnie Higginbottom; 12 July 1928 – 13 December 2008) was an English actress known for her work on British television. She was best known for her portrayal of Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running sitcom in the world.

Career Early career She began her acting career with touring repertory companies in 1946, changing her name to Katherine Brant. After she married John Staff in 1951,

Last of the Summer Wine Staff was best known for her role as one of the main characters, Nora Batty, in the long-running BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine. She played Nora Batty from the pilot episode in 1973 until 2008, the year she died from a brain tumour, totalling 245 episodes.

Following the death of actor Bill Owen on 12 July 1999, Staff left the show briefly. She stated in interviews that things were not the same since his death, and her heart was no longer in it. She later returned to the show, remaining until her death in 2008.

Television Staff had a regular role as Doris Luke in the popular ATV soap opera, Crossroads from 1978 to 1984 and 2001 to 2002. Her other television roles included Coronation Street as Vera Hopkins, plus a brief appearance in Follyfoot.

Theatre Her theatre roles included Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest at Birmingham Rep, Madame Arcati and Mrs Malaprop in touring productions of Blithe Spirit and The Rivals respectively and a touring production of the comedy Sailor, Beware!, as well as two West End plays: the farce Two into One and comedy When We Are Married, and many pantomimes.

Films She appeared in A Kind of Loving (1962) as Thora Hird's character's neighbour, as well as The Family Way (1966), The Dresser (1983), Camille (1984), Little Dorrit (1988), and Mary Reilly (1996).

Illness and death Staff died on 13 December 2008, at the Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, aged 80, with her husband John at her bedside, after a brain tumour was diagnosed earlier in the year.

Her death was announced on 14 December. Her funeral took place at St Mark's Church, Dukinfield, where she was a lifelong member and sang in the choir. She is commemorated in a memorial screen at the church. Her remains are interred at Dukinfield Cemetery.

Television roles