Kathleen Yates

Kay was the 7th of eight children born to Martha Mary Ashworth March and Henry Yates both of whom were born and grew up in Lancastershire England. Martha was raised on a dairy farm and from age 8-24, nursed her father until his death. She and her coal miner husband came to Canada for their honeymoon and never left. At 6’ tall and 280 pounds, she was a formitable partner and no wonder her quiet husband gave up drinking when she delivered her ultimatum. Although she loved her mother and father, her mother was always Kay’s hero. After a trap door slammed into her mother’s ankle, Martha became lame and Kay was her mother’s ‘helper’. Like mother; like daughter.

Pregnant when she came over to Canada, Martha had a very difficult time bringing healthy ‘survivors’ into the world which tells me the only three children who lived to adulthood – Henry, Frederick and Kay – had stout constitutions. Twin girls born in Hamilton died in the first few months of infancy, Henri was third born in Toronto, another set of twin girls didn’t survive, Frederick followed and then Kay. Our dear Kay had a stillborn twin brother and the losses of all her siblings must have been a source of great sadness for her as she was alone for much of her life.

Despite a Grade 4 education, Kay was brought up with large doses of sound Christian values and lived a disciplined modest life. As a woman (and an employee in restaurants and working as a housekeeper), she was Independent, honest, humble, kind, hardworking, loyal, always interested in her employers’ families especially their children, practical and a wonderful judge of character. In taking care of our homes and occasionally our children, she treated them as if they were hers too. Kay always spoke fondly of the Beales family who continued to stay in touch with her, remembering her on birthdays and other special occasions.

With favouite colours of baby blue and pink, Kay had feminine tastes and felt most comfortable in her capris. If you came to visit, a gift of black licorice, Doublemint gum or Werther’s caramel candies welcomed and, ever thoughtful, she never went anywhere without a generous stack of tissue so as not to spread germs. A great collector, she kept and treasured every card, postcard or photograph ever given to her along with horse race pins and Jay souvenirs.

Pat Keaveney, long time friend, recalls watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy for hours with Kay in her well-deserved retirement. A huge sports fan, her entertainment world revolved around the NY Giants, Leafs and her beloved Jays. Baseball was her greatest love and given a wee Christmas bear, she named him Yogi Bear, of course. Ever a fan of the races, with thanks to Wheeltrans, she caught a horse race this June but her last Jays game in September was this year’s highlight. Kay looked forward to her Toronto Sun every day of her life and if it didn’t arrive which was rare, she was out of sorts. In her final weeks, she struggled with her eyesight but those sports pages added colour and action to her days.

In the aftermath of several strokes, Kay died as serenely as she lived. Our thanks to all the health care, support staff and leaders of Meighen Manor for their quiet devotion to Kay. Enroute to the eternal life of her spirit, Kay’s physical remains will be resting in peace beside her parent