Come rain or shine, snow or gales, for 60 years Kathleen Hillier would make her way several times a week to her local church, sit on the organ chair and – if the occasion merited it – pull out all the stops.

They say when one door closes, another opens – for now, with only ill health forcing her to quit after all these years, Kathleen is free for church services – and is thinking of joining the choir in her home village of Sherston, Wiltshire.

As the organist at Holy Cross Church, Kathleen was a fixture at special occasions and of course, twice every Sunday, since the days of rationing and the creation of the NHS.

That totals around 10,000 services, but at the sprightly age of 85, she has had to give up her position beneath the pipes. The organist's chair is tricky to get into and she's not quite as nimble as she was.

She's played for generations of villagers, at their christenings, weddings and funerals and for more than six vicars, but only ever on one organ.

Modestly, Kathleen said: "I've played with no real qualifications – I started long before the 60 years people are talking about now, because when my piano teacher was called into the territorial army, I did bits to fill in back then. I suppose it became permanent in about 1948."

The biggest change for Kathleen's organ-playing career came relatively late – in 2000, the organ was refurbished into a modern 32-pedal stop classic.

"It's very different. Although it is the same organ, it was like playing a new one, but I got used to it," she explained.

Ironically, singing is actually her first love, and she sung in choirs large and small during her younger days.

Now, opportunity knocks with the church choir.

"It is something I am considering. I didn't really think about it because I was playing the organ, but I suppose I could. I am thinking about it now."

Kathleen worked for five decades as a primary school teacher, where she instilled a love of music in generations of youngsters.

Former pupil, Robin Baggs went on to become an accomplished musician, and was among those who played at a concert held last week in honour of their long-serving organ stalwart.

Sherston's vicar, Rev Andrew Evans, said: "It was good to say a formal thank you for all her years of faithful service in keeping generations of the congregation tuneful. She remains a key part of the church family," he added.