A LEARNING disabled woman lay dead in her supported accommodation for six days before her body was discovered.

Kathleen Cooke, 63, a well-known and well-loved member of the community, lived in Adra’s Supported Housing Scheme in Morfa Cadfan.

She died on 20 July, but her body was not found until 26 July, and a postmortem revealed death was caused by left ventricular hypertrophy - an enlarged heart.

Kathleen’s family is devastated that the former library worker’s body lay undiscovered for so long, and her sister Janet has been in touch with Adra to investigate.

In a letter to them, she said: “It is evident that Kathleen collapsed on the evening of 20 July - her corpse was not found until 1pm on 26 July. Whether her death was instantaneous or she was unconscious for a while can never be known.

“This experience has obviously been a traumatic one for myself, the family and friends as well as other residents at Morfa Cadfan.”

She added: “I request a full investigation be carried out and recommendations and adjustments made so that other families, friends and communities will not suffer this appalling experience.

“I am aware that the Covid pandemic has forced a number of changes to warden duties in your sheltered housing accommodation over the past year-and-a-half; however, this event shows a clear failure of the basic duties of care to your tenants.”

Despite having learning disabilities, Kathleen was able, independent and loved living in Tywyn.

Janet said Kathleen “was a happy, caring person who could always see the good in people”.

A message in a condolence card to family described Kathleen as “an angel walking on the ground". "She was the most pure friend I have ever had and will leave a very big hole in my heart," the sender added.

In June 1999 Kathleen, who was also known as Kathy, started working in Tywyn library for two hours, twice a week, in a role arranged by Agoriad, a charity which gives people with disabilities work experience. Kathy was proud of her work, which continued until lockdown.

Neil Fairlamb said, as the new priest in Llwyngwril in 1998, Kathy was the first visitor to the rectory, and her first question was “When is your birthday?”.

“I’ve never been asked that by a parishioner before or since,” Neil said. “It turned out we were only a week apart in December and every year thereafter there would be a card and a present. Kathy never forgot a name or an anniversary.”

An Adra spokesperson said: “We are very saddened about the death of Kathy Cooke and we would like to offer our sincerest condolences to her family and friends. Kathy was an active person and active within the community in Tywyn and had many friends.

“Morfa Cadfan is one of our supported housing schemes where people can live independently in their own flats. Our staff and residents did identify that Kathy hadn’t been seen for a few days and sadly she had passed away at her home. The family have been in touch to express concerns and we are currently looking into these.

“Our thoughts are with Miss Cooke’s family and friends at this difficult time.”