Memorial: Roma Laurette Kotch (Laurie Purden) MBE

View Order of Service and transcripts of readings & addresses

A service of thanksgiving for the life of editor Roma Laurette Kotch (Laurie Purden) MBE will take place at St Bride’s Church, the Journalists’ Church, on Wednesday 8th February at 11:30am.

Doyenne of the golden age of women’s magazines in the 1950s-1980s, Purden was Editor-in-Chief of several ground-breaking titles.

Her early career included stints at Girl magazine, sister title to the Eagle comic, and Woman’s Own, before moving to Hulton Press to edit Housewife, a rival to Good Housekeeping.

In 1965, Purden jumped ship to Hearst’s National Magazines and oversaw a period of substantial growth in Good Housekeeping’s circulation.

She ended her career at IPC Magazines, as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Journal and Woman & Home.

Obituaries

• The Guardian
• Press Gazette