TRIBUTES have been paid to a hairdresser who ran a salon in St John's for 31 years and died at the age of 87.

Kathleen Heilemann first opened Hairport in St John's in 1976 alongside her late husband Rudi Heilemann.

Their eldest daughter Felicia Smart said: "Mum had a heart of gold, and she was so kind.

"She was a real people person, and she just enjoyed chatting to people at the salon each day."

Mrs Heilemann died on Wednesday, July 17 at Worcestershire Royal Hospital while being treated for an aortic aneurysm.

Her daughter said: "She was so fit and lively and even into her 80s she would go to the gym in St John's."

Originally born in Martley on July 4, 1937, Kathleen's attended Great Witley Primary and Stourport County Modern as a child. She met Rudi while working for a London salon, Dickinson Jones, before they moved to the USA.

They married at Pendleton United Methodist Church in Buffalo, New York in 1959, giving birth to Felicia that same year and having their second child Pauline in 1960.

Kathleen married Rudy Heilemann in Buffalo, New York in 1959.Kathleen married Rudy Heilemann in Buffalo, New York in 1959. (Image: Felicia Smart)

Kathleen studied to become a licensed hairdresser and cosmetologist at Doyle Beauty School in Buffalo, before the family moved to Clifton upon Teme in 1975 and finally opened Hairport, in St John's, a year later.

Her daughter said: "Mum was such a talented hairdresser. I remember people would come to her for up-do's and curled styles, which had been so popular since the 1960s.

"In those days, people would visit the hairdressers every week."

Kathleen's husband, Rudi, died on January 13, 2007, after being diagnosed with mouth cancer, and Kathleen sold the salon to her daughter Pauline Avery later that year - though Kathleen stayed on as a volunteer there until 2011.

Kathleen's youngest daughter, Pauline Avery (right), took over Hairport in 2007.Kathleen's youngest daughter, Pauline Avery (right), took over Hairport in 2007. (Image: Felicia Smart)

"She just enjoyed people, and so many of her customers became good friends," she added.

Mrs Heilemann is survived by her daughters Felicia Smart and Pauline Avery and grandchildren Ryan, Benjamin, Jasper, Madison, and Morgan, alongside eight great grandchildren.

Her funeral will take place on Monday, August 5 at Wichenford Church at 1.30pm, with a cremation to follow at Worcester Crematorium and a gathering at the Cob House, Wichenford, later that day.