Kathleen (Kathy) Tetarenko

Kathy passed away peacefully in the early morning of June 5th with family around her. She was predeceased by Deach, her husband of 47 years and is survived by daughters Jean and grandson Darren, Diane (Ron) and grandson Dan, and Lynn (Kevin) as well as her brother Alan (Sheelagh) and many friends and extended family who meant so much to her.

Kathy was born and grew up in Oak Bay attending Willows Elementary, Oak Bay High, Victoria College and the University of Victoria. She worked as a secretary but teaching was her true passion. She taught elementary school in multiple locations in BC ultimately ending up in Powell River where she met Deach and married in 1963. The family moved to Port Alberni in 1972 and for over 40 years this was Kathy’s home.

Family was everything to Kathy. All events were done as a family; summers at Tall Timbers, Sproat Lake, ski vacations to Mt Washington, and Dalziel family reunions on Denman Island. Kathy was a compassionate and generous woman, and her world circled around the needs of family and friends. She had a treasured community of friends through the United Church and spent endless hours organizing and leading Mothers Morning Out and Happy Times groups and extensive participation in the Pastoral Care Group. Kathy also dedicated her time to Alzheimer’s Support Groups, Caring for Seniors and the Learning Place for young children. Kathy was stoic through Deach’s struggle with Alzheimers and when she was also diagnosed with Dementia she faced the challenge with grace and dignity all the while still more concerned about others than herself.

A Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 23rd at the Alberni Valley United Church, 3747 Church Street. In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer Society of BC are gratefully accepted. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelofmemories.ca . The family sincerely thanks the staff at Peninsula at Norgarden, Sluggett House, Saanich Peninsula Hospital, and Dr. Eric

George for their care and compassion.