Detta O'Cathain

Announcement of the death of Detta O'Cathain, Baroness O'Cathain, O.B.E. economist, businesswoman, member of the House of Lords.

Detta O’Cathain passed away peacefully at her home in Arundel, West Sussex on Friday, 23 April, after a short illness. Detta was predeceased by her husband Bill, her sister Marie- Clare and brother Kevin. She is sadly missed by her nephews David Sandford Ward & Robin Ward, niece Jennifer o’Cahan, members of Bill’s family, her Goddaughter - Alexandra Stephenson, and her countless friends and associates who held her in such high esteem and valued her friendship dearly.

Detta was an Irish-born British businesswoman and Conservative politician, the eldest child of Caoimhin and Margaret (née Prior) O’Cathain; born Margaret Mary Detta O’Cathain, she was educated at Loreto Abbey in Dublin, and Laurel Hill Convent in Limerick, before reading Economics at University College Dublin.

Detta was extremely grateful to her parents for the education they provided for her and the personal values they handed down that she believed stood her in good stead throughout her life and career. She was immensely proud of the quiet contribution her fathers family had made to Irish life and culture. Her grandfather was a Gaelic scholar from Ulster and one of the founding members of the Gaelic League.

Detta started her career as an economist in Aer Lingus where she met William Ernest John Bishop. She married Bill in 1963, and then her work brought her to the U.K where she divided her time between London and Arundel. Bill died in 2001.

Detta O’Cathain held numerous high-profile business positions during a long and prestigious career. These included working, in her early career, for the Rootes Motor company and Unigate; she later became the Managing Director of both the Milk Marketing Board and the Barbican Centre. She also held Non-Executive Director positions at Tesco, British Airways, French Bank BNP Paribas, Midland Bank, Channel Four, Sears, Allders and many others.

She was made a life peer as Baroness O'Cathain, of The Barbican in the City of London, on 21 June 1991. She served on a number of committees within the House, including the Constitution Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee. She also sat on the European Union Committee, chairing the Sub-Committee on Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment. She was selected to chair the House of Lords inquiry into civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). She also held posts on the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and the High-Speed Rail Bill Select Committee.

Those who knew Detta will remember her as a cultured woman who loved classical music and art with a formidable intellect, and a deep Christian faith who showed leadership and courage in her professional life.

We would like to extend our thanks, on behalf of Detta - to all of those who cared for her during her short illness – friends, medical, nursing, and care staff whose exceptional kindness was greatly appreciated.

There will be a service at St Nicholas church, Arundel on 17th May 2021. Due to Covid restrictions only 30 invited guests can attend.  The service will be streamed. If you would like to watch, please visit Reynolds Funeral Director website  (info@reynoldsfunerals.co.uk).  Later in the year with Covid restrictions eased there will be a service of thanksgiving in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster.