Ms. Kathleen Marie Kirk

Kathy was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She was born on September 7, 1951, attending St. Alphonsus, St. Mary's Academy and the University of Manitoba. She spent 32 years working as a teacher and teacher-librarian until, due to her diminished physical abilities, it became necessary to go on long-term disability. She was honoured to have her school library renamed "The Kathleen Kirk Resource Center."

ALS is a disease of gradual loss of physical abilities. Kathy took each physical loss, as well as the loss of her beloved husband Bob, in stride, adjusted and forged on with courage and humour. With the help of family, friends, nurses and health care aides she continued to live her life to the fullest, hosting parties and meetings, attending art exhibits, plays and dinners out. Kathy even took an Alaskan cruise and two cross-country trips while confined to a wheel-chair.

Shortly after her diagnosis, Kathy became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and served as President for two years. She later joined the ALS Society and served on the Board of Directors. She was awarded the ALS Volunteer of the Year as well as the Honorary Life Member Award from the National ALS Society of Canada. In 2012, Kathy received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, awarded to those who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities.

Kathy was predeceased by her husband Bob, her mother Gloria Knight and her in-laws Cameron and Doreen Kirk. She leaves to mourn her father Fred Knight; cousin Barbara Pertson; sisters Nora and Pat McDermid, Margaret and Vern McKernan, Shirley and Paul Mann, Elinor and Ken Friesen, Elizabeth and Robert Amborsky; brothers Timothy and Dalyce Knight, Richard and Karen Knight; in-laws Alan and Barb Kirk, Sheila and Rodney Cook and numerous nieces and nephews. Kathy will be greatly missed by her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and health care practitioners who have become friends.

The family would like to express their profound appreciation to the staff at WRHA Home Care as well as St. Boniface Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathy's memory may be made to the ALS Society or charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 4588 Roblin Blvd with a viewing beginning at 6:30 p.m. A private interment will be held at a later date.