I had the honour of getting to know Carolyn when I was a graduate student and TA, she was so kind and helpful. I am sending so much love to Tom and the family. 

During the years we worked together at Peter Robinson College in the mid-90’s Carolyn Kay was an inspiration and an invaluable support in many endeavours.  Her deep concern for students, for colleagues and for Trent’s college system played out in many forms.  Her commitment to history and to holocaust studies was deep.  In 1993 she worked hard to bring “Schindler’s List” to the local movie theatre.  The powers that be had decided the film was too somber for the Peterborough audience and would not attract a significant number of viewers.  Carolyn lobbied hard to change that viewpoint and the film had a successful run.  She was a remarkable woman!

Theresa Topic

I took several classes with Carolyn as a student at Trent 20 years ago. Her teaching and love of history were a major inspiration to continue on to grad school and eventually completing a PhD in History. She taught some very heavy material, and I'll never forget on the first day of class she gave everyone her personal phone number so they could reach her if they were distressed. That was just the kind of person she was. Even years after graduating she continued to show interest in my personal and professional life. Such a loss for her family, Trent, and the community. She will be greatly missed.

Thinking of Tom, Sebastian and of course the redoubtable Carolyn. I remember the humanity she brought to the role of College Head [she took some persuading, hesitating out of humility]. Thankfully the eternal can look after itself, and souls like Carolyn's are not easily forgotten. Always reminded me of the better angels of our nature. May she rest in peace.
-Robin & Holly Lathangue

Growing up with her son as one of my brother's best friends, Carolyn was in my life as long as I can remember. She inspired me to pursue my love of History throughout my academic studies and was always there whenever I was struggling to find ideas for writing papers. When preparing for my Master's application, Carolyn took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me and go through my application paper line by line. Her assistance never stopped when I left Trent for my Master's. Her knowledge and expertise gave me the starting point to write several papers on German History post-Second World War and their memory of that terrible time. She will be missed and I hope you both have a chance to mourn and heal, Tom, Seb.

Liam Fitzpatrick
Kitchener

Professor Kay was a member of the Canadian Commonwealth Scholar Alumni Association through her tenure as a postgraduate student at Oxford University. Our community mourns her loss and we wish her family and colleagues are heartfelt condolences.
Kevin Goheen
Ottawa

I have very warm memories of my interactions with Carolyn, especially during my term as Dean of Arts and Science. To me she exemplified all of the very best qualities that we looked for in members of faculty. Her commitment to students, to her department, to her college, and to the university as a whole, was exemplary. She was also an outstanding scholar. Above all, I remember her for her cheerful and positive attitude and outlook. I extend heartfelt condolences to her family.
Colin Taylor.

Carolyn taught me my favourite History class of my undergraduate degree at Trent University and was a major inspiration to me as a student, and now as a future educator. She and I kept in touch after I graduated and she was so kind to write references for me whenever I asked, no questions. She always supported me on my educational journey and was so inspiring. Her teaching about the Holocaust was a life-altering event for me as a student, and I know many of my classmates felt the same. She was an immensely inspiring and kind person. 

She and her contributions to education, which are unmatched, will be missed.

Condolences to her family.

Carolyn was my colleague in the History Dept at Trent University and also my friend.
As my colleague I well know that she was an outstanding teacher who was a wonderful mentor and beloved role model for her students. Her teaching about the Holocaust often brought tears to her students’ eyes, and to my eyes too.
As my friend I especially valued her warm, friendly, and welcoming personality, and her tremendous curiosity about anything and everything,

Carolyn Kay was an exceptionally big-hearted and special person who will long  be missed by many.

I send my warmest Condolences to her bereaved family.  May your happy memories of her bring you some consolation. 

Our family was so blessed to count Carolyn amongst those we loved. Getting to know her, and Sebastian and Tom, through our daughter was a joy, as we came to appreciate her humour, kindness, and optimistic spirit. She was always curious to know what was happening in our lives, and brought such a joy of life to all our encounters. That her academic career brought her face-to-face with the horrors of the Holocaust made her zest for life all the more remarkable; she had looked clearly at depths of what humanity is capable of, but, despite that knowledge,  retained a love of life’s beauty and focused on all our better angels. We grieve Carolyn’s  loss, but are grateful to have known her, certain that memories of her warmth will be with us always. 
Rob M and family. 

Carolyn was my first friend in kindergarten at Bendale PS. Her kindness and care, even at such a young age, I have never forgotten. We fell in and out of each others lives over the 60+ years since then. She was such a special person and I feel richer for knowing her. She will always have a very special place in my heart. I will never forget her. Rest peacefully Carolyn. You are gone but will never be forgotten by those of us you’ve touched. 

Jim Conley
The last time I saw Carolyn was after she had recovered from her first bout with leukemia. Although we were hardly close, she greeted me like a long lost friend and gave me a hug. She was that kind of person. I will miss her. My sincerest condolences to her family.

Carolyn was a fierce champion of social justice, of students, and of the arts ... with one of the biggest hearts ever. She has always been in our hearts and will remain there forever. 
Deborah Berrill

Deepest sympathies to Carolyn's family at this sad time. Carolyn's bright spirit, dedication and kindness will be so missed and always appreciated. May we hold her in our hearts and memories.

My life and so many other have been forever changed and improved because we met Carolyn. Her mentorship and wisdom not only guided me through my academics but also helped me to discover my true passion, setting the course for where I am today. I will always remember Carolyn for her funkiness and infectious laugh, but also her ability to be serious without taking herself too seriously. She was a beacon of joy and inspiration in every room she entered and through her own passion and drive she had the incredible ability to ignite passion in others. Carolyn has become a household name to every single person I know simply because of the indelible mark she’s left on my life. Her impact has extended far beyond those who had the privilege of knowing her personally and the loss of her will be widely felt. My deepest sympathy goes out to Carolyn’s family and I hope that our memories of her with offer some comfort during this painful time.

The world is a better place because of Carolyn Kay. I will always remember her kindness and support as a professor - not to mention her style and passion as a lecturer (I can still see her purple Doc Martens on the Wenjack stage circa 1996). She made every person in every conversation feel that their ideas and their presence mattered. I am grateful for her impacts, her important work, and her care for our community. I share my deepest sympathies to Carolyn's family - I hope memories of her laughter, light, and wonderful energy provide comfort for you all. 

Carolyn was an extraordinary person, scholar and professor. I remember her most for how she made me feel and how thoughtful/intentional she was - in her words, her actions and her work. She always had a kind and encouraging word whenever we passed each other on the bridge or saw each other at faculty events. Her enthusiasm for life, teaching and the university was extraordinary. I'm very grateful that we existed in this space at the same time and that I had a chance to know her. My deepest sympathies to her family. Rest well Carolyn. 

I was so sorry to hear that Carolyn has passed away. Such an engaging, friendly, and inspiring colleague! I remember a day soon after I began at Trent, when I wandered early into Wenjack to prepare for my class. Carolyn (who I had not yet met) was wrapping up her class on the aftermath of the Great War. It was such a compelling demonstration of the craft of teaching, holding spellbound a roomful of students. While the students learned that day about the unhappy twentieth century, I learned what a lecture could be. Thank you, Carolyn.

I am so sorry to hear of Professor Kay's passing. I had the privilege of being a student in several of her classes and her passion for history and her teaching style had a profound impact on me, she had such a way of making the content alive and inspiring a passion for what you were discovering. I credit her as one of the influences that led me to pursue a career in post-secondary education. My deepest condolences to her family. Renée Sloos (class of 1998).

Words fail me to fully describe the impact of this woman on the Peterborough community, Trent University, and the History Department.  I feel so lucky to have known her and to have been able to work with her for my first 20 years at Trent.  There are so many kind things that she has done for me over the years!!  She has been a beacon of warmth and generosity for all of us.  Tom and Sebastian, I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts are with you.

Dear Sebastian, I'm so very sorry to learn of your Mom's passing. I was a student of hers when you were very little. I had seminar with maybe 5 other students, gathering in her office at PR. She often talked about you and kept us up to date on the latest wonderful thing you were doing. Her love for you came through so strongly and clearly. It left an impression on me to this day. Your Mom was one of the kindest, most beautiful women I've ever had the fortune to spend time with. I hope you feel her with you in some way over the coming difficult days. I am thinking of you. I will always remember your lovely Mom.

Carolyn and I met when we performed together in two of the annual musicals at David and Mary Thomson C.I. . Her great stage presence and  singing voice were recognized by all the cast, her teachers and certainly the audiences. In 1976 Carolyn gave a memorable performance as Lucy in" You're A Good Man Charlie Brown!".   
 I will always be grateful for the friendship and encouragement she gave to me in the role of  Charlie Brown!
 I last met Carolyn in the library at U of T a couple of years after we graduated and will  always remember her fondly.
Rest in Peace Carolyn.
My sincere condolences to her family.
Tim Rourke

I remember Carolyn so vividly -- we were both hired around the same time at Trent, and was in awe of  her enthusiasm and energy and deep caring for her students and family and community.  She remained stoic, upbeat, and her beautiful spirit glowed even in the darkest of times. She will be deeply missed, and  leaves us while still much too young.

I feel fortunate to have known Carolyn even it’s only been a short while. She had the ability to draw people in and make them feel included.  She demonstrated  warmth and kindness to others while dealing with her own challenges.  For me one of her traits to her legacy will be how inclusive she was.  Truly an admirable, inspirational lady.  RIP dear Carolyn.💐💐💐

Carolyn was one of my favourite professors at Trent during my time there. She was always so supportive and invested in our success. We continued to keep in touch after graduation and she even introduced me to one of my friends as she knew we were both history grads and living abroad in the UK. 

She will be forever missed xx

I met Carolyn when we attended David and Mary Thomson C.I. in Scarborough.  I was in Gr. 9 and she was in Gr. 13.  We were both in the play, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” which had a very small cast.  I played Patty and she played Lucy.  I was impressed at how Carolyn was such a warm, outgoing and lovely person, and I looked up to her in terms of her acting ability.  It’s not surprising to me that she reached such a high professional goal of being a university professor and that she had such a lasting impact on her students.  From the photos that I’ve have seen, it’s apparent that she also had a rich life in terms of family.  To those who have had the pleasure of knowing Carolyn, they’ve each been touched in a special way.  My sincere condolences to her family.  She will be dearly missed, and never forgotten.  ❤️ 

Professor Kay was one of my favourite teachers in my total educational experience. I took her German history class on a whim and ended up loving it because of her. Her knowledge, passion, and humour made all the difference to her students and she was a true inspiration to us. Thinking of her and her family in this difficult time. 

An outstanding woman, a loving wife, a SUPER MOM, an accomplished historian/professor/researcher, a comic genius, a dog lover extraordinaire and my friend. I will miss Carolyn very much.  She left her mark and changed our world for the better.  Don & McCoy

Prof Kay was a remarkable woman who I have thought of often since my time at Trent University in the mid 1990s. I still remember her lecture for a first year history course where she strode on stage in Dr Martens and played an REM song. She made history come alive for me, and showed me how much fun teaching could be. In 4th year, I was in her course about the Holocaust and she arranged a trip to Washington and the Holocaust Museum. It was an honour to learn from her. 
   More than her content, I remember her excitement for teaching and students’ learning, and I try to bring that to my work as an educator.
   My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. The world has lost someone very special.

Such wonderful, treasured memories from when we last met up in Hamburg. I am so glad Zac was able to spend time with you - and know your laughter and your love.  We will miss you Carolyn and love you xxx

OBITUARIO

Carolyn Helen Kay

15 julio, 1957 – 25 diciembre, 2023

Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre

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