Kathleen Noreen Barber Preston

December 10, 1919 – March 2, 2012

Peacefully, and surrounded by her family, Kay died at Grace Hospital on March 2, 2012 after a long and full life.

Kay was born December 10, 1919 in Beccles, Suffolk England, daughter of Nora and Robert Barber. In 1921, she moved with her parents and younger sister Ena to London, Ontario, leaving behind older brother Robert who, for health reasons, remained in England with his grandparents.

After her mother’s death in 1929 and her father’s return to England thereafter, she and her sister were raised by two Victorian sisters. Kay attended H.B. Beal Business School for two years, and when World War II began, she left school to begin her career. She was employed by the Bank of Nova Scotia where she met and mesmerized “confirmed bachelor” Allan Preston. Kay and Al married in 1942, and in 1947 when they began a family, she left the Bank to raise daughter Pat and son Richard.

In 1951, Al was transferred to the Main branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia in Winnipeg. Upon arrival in the city, in the snow and cold and wind, Kay declared “I am not staying here!” Over 61 years later, all of which were lived in Winnipeg, this city booster adamantly claimed that Winnipeg was “the best city in the world.” In large measure, her strong and fond feelings for Winnipeg, resulted from the wonderful friends and neighbours she met, lived among, mentored and adored during her 51 years on Ash Street, a neighbourhood and people who she always claimed you could never pay enough to be part of. Over fifty one years living in the same house, she played many roles to four generations of Ash Streeters - loyal and long time friend, attentive neighbour and keeper of the keys, confidante, parent surrogate, community volunteer, area historian and so much more.

Kay returned to work with great excitement after both children graduated high school. She helped a young plumber establish and manage his own successful plumbing business and later worked in the finance area of Northern Sales, where on any given day she could be talking with people all over the world, a job she treasured. She retired in 1984 and not long after lost Al to cancer after 42 years of married life.

In 2002 after having experienced some significant health issues, Kay decided to leave her beloved Ash Street neighbourhood and neighbours and moved to The Portsmouth Retirement Residence. She lived there for almost 10 years, in a “new neighbourhood” where she made wonderful new friends in its residents and staff. Her life there was rich in friendship, activity and the knowledge that she was safe, valued and connected.

Kay loved sports of all kinds and was active in many – as a participant and spectator – over the course of her lifetime. She was also active in her community – a member of the PTA’s of the schools her children attended, a Sunday School Teacher at St. Andrews River Heights United Church, and President of the River Heights Community Club, to name a few. She was largely responsible, against some significant odds, for leading the successful effort to attain the “new” River Heights Community Centre.

Kay continued her leadership at the Portsmouth Residence as the first President of the Resident Council and Queen of the Portsmouth Red Hat Society.

Beyond friends, neighbours and community, Kay’s first love and devotion was her family for whom she was always a fierce protector and advocate. Predeceased by her parents and siblings, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter Pat Harper, son-in-law Jack and grandchildren Daniel and Jessica; as well as son Richard, partner Kate, grandchildren Richard, Mathew (Jennifer and great granddaughter Addy) and Ashleigh Smith (Tyler and great granddaughter Layla). Many other friends, young and old, will miss her too.

Kay was rich in a generous spirit and energy that we will miss. We are grateful that she leaves behind with each of us, a part of her, and that she takes with her, a part of each of us.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held 11am, Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 at “The Portsmouth”

125 Portsmouth Blvd. Winnipeg, MB.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to a charity of your choice in Kay’s memory would be very much appreciated.