Obituary: Pat Caton

Pat Caton, who died of a brain tumour on 9 April aged 60, joined Reuters human resources department in 1981 to work with Rachel Addison and Ron Harris. She spent most of her career providing HR administrative support in London within the technical operations and development groups. Pat worked for a brief period for John Ransom and then Mary Talbot, before joining Marion Wale at Maple House and Centros House, and then Docklands. In the last few years before she left in 2003 she was a key member of the centralised HR administration function.

Everyone who worked with Pat admired her efficiency, loyalty and professionalism. She always had a smile on her face and nothing was too much trouble. 

While she was working with the technical development department she organised the Christmas event at the Chiswell Street Brewery. Martin Davids remembers how, when the dancing started, Pat made sure everyone joined in.

John Freeman, former head of personnel for Reuters Information, said: “In all the years I knew Pat at Reuters I can never remember an occasion when her sunny disposition did not shine through. She dealt with everything in a straightforward, efficient way and could always be relied upon to see the job through. After I retired, I used to see her at Reuter Society meetings and she always had a smile on her face. Such people are worth their weight in gold and she will be sadly missed.”

Pat married her long-term partner John Banks in December 2009. He supported her at many Reuter events, even when she played hockey on a Sunday morning with a group of Maple/Centros House staff. ■