Kathleen Margaret Clark

Kathleen (Kay) Clark was born in Thurlow Township (Belleville), the middle of three daughters to Jack and Kathleen (nee Wickson) Clark on Valentine’s Day, 1933, 93 years ago. Kay is survived by her younger sister Eleanor J. Murphy (Jim) of Salmon Arm, BC; her daughters Penny Richardson (David) and Gladys Stephenson, and her son Michael Stephenson (Lorna) of the Half Diamond SS Ranch, High River, AB. Kay was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth O. Law and her granddaughter, Hilary A. Brooks.

Kay grew up the daughter of a butcher whose business, Clark and Miles Butcher Shop, played a huge role in her formative years. The business thrived on honesty, good service, quality meats, and caring for the customers. Those values were integral to Kay’s essence. She was very loyal to those she loved and cared for, and she excelled in ensuring their well being and helping in any way she could.

She graduated from Belleville Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCIVS) and enrolled in Kempville Agricultural College to prepare for the life of a rancher’s wife as she had met Edward Stephenson at a summer dance while visiting her uncle in High River, AB. They married in 1951, living at Sunny Brae Ranch, in southern Alberta. Three children followed shortly after. In 1956, a house fire took the life of Edward, and Kay was a widow with 3 young children. The family moved to a small bungalow in High River and the children grew up in a home of love with few restrictions. Kay married a soldier in 1960, and the family moved to Victoria, BC for a few years before being transferred to Hemer, Germany. In Germany, Kay discovered her love of culture and travel. The family returned to Canada, settling in Belleville until the children left home. Kay was industrious and worked at numerous employment opportunities over her lifetime. She sold Avon products, shoes, meat and produce, and was a residence counsellor at the Ontario School for the Deaf (Sir James Whitney). Kay remarried and relocated to an acreage near Stirling, Ontario for a few years where she raised goats before moving to Haida Gwaii, BC. After several years on the islands, she moved to Nelson, BC and worked in a bookstore where her passion for books and reading brought her much happiness. Kay moved from Nelson to Vancouver to attend Kwantlen College where she graduated with her Nanny certification. After working with a family in Vancouver and another family in Ayr, ON, she returned to Belleville to care for her mother. While living in the family home on Prince of Wales Dr. with her mother and older sister, she drove school and handi-dart buses and cared for her mother who passed away at 102. After the house was sold, she moved to the McNabb Towers where she resided for the next 24 years. Kay spent the last few years living with her daughter, Gladys, and grandson, Payton, as Parkinson’s made independent living impossible.

Kay had an inveterate interest in the world around her following world events and pursuing topics of interest with her inquisitive mind. Travelling was a great passion pursued at every opportunity with her favourite destination being Hawaii. She said, “that had she gone there as a young woman, she’d never have left!” Kay had a close network of friends in Belleville with whom she provided and received support. Grannies For Africa was her passion in later years.

For those of us fortunate to have known and loved this strong, kind individual, her memory will endure. Kay always tried to do the right thing, lived a life of integrity always supporting her family members and those for whom she cared. She set a wonderful example for her children which they cherish. Kay did not suffer fools easily and had no patience for pettiness. Her sense of humour would sparkle though her eyes, and occasionally her one liners would lay us on the floor in convulsions. Gran Kay (also known as Special K) will be sorely missed by her Grandchildren: Tyler (Jennifer), Jeffery (Jace), Ashley (Kyle), Pamela (Ram), Payton (Yuni) and Jenny, and her Great Grandchildren: Kade, Charlotte, Mya, Shelby, Hailey and Lily, as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph, ON. Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or the Salvation Army would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be made on the memorial page at www.gilbertmacintyreandson-hart.com