A WOMAN who devoted decades of her life to saving hundreds of down-and-out animals has died aged 88.

Born on May 3, 1917, in Wales, Kay Callaghan was one of five children.

Initially taught by a governess, she went to St Leonards in St Andrews and then finishing school in Switzerland.

Faced with the choice of studying music in Vienna or training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she chose RADA and trained as an actress. There she took the stage name Kay Delius, after her great uncle the famous English composer Frederick Delius.

During this time she met and married actor Dan Callaghan. Together the two toured the country treading the boards until the outbreak of war.

Their son Patrick was born in 1941 and they moved around the country before her husband was transferred to the Orkneys and she returned to her family home near Manchester.

Mrs Callaghan's daughter Judith was born in 1944 and the family moved to London where their second daughter, Kerry, was born.

The grandmother and great grandmother to seven, moved to the Lake District in 1950 and bought Rosewood' at Skelwith Bridge, near Ambleside, a home for both her family and the rescue animals she took under her wing.

While in the Lakes she also pursued her other love music, and invested in an old grand piano, which was played between "teas".

As her children grew up Mrs Callaghan started the charity Animal Rescue in 1971, along with Jo Moon, from an old hut near Cark. A decade later she set up Animal Concern both charities continue today. She believed no animal should be put down but given a chance in a loving home, and devoted her life to fund-raising for her cause.

Friend and retiring chairman of Animal Concern Doris Hayton described Mrs Callaghan's death as a great loss. She said Mrs Callaghan was truly devoted to her cause and was a woman who would go anywhere, at any time of night, to rescue a needy animal.

Kay Callaghan's funeral was due to be held at Brathay Church, near Ambleside, yesterday (Thursday).