Katherine I. Teschke

Protector of nature, champion of the underdog, tireless gardener, lover of all animals (unless they ate her gardens), world explorer, real estate enthusiast, supporter of local artists and shops, figure skating champion, and self-professed tomboy - Kay was kind and generous, with an independent streak.

Kay grew up in Windsor, Ottawa, and Owen Sound as the only child of Harper and Dorothy Kress. After graduating from U of T, she and her high school sweetheart Bill Teschke were married. Kay was thrilled at the prospect of seeing the world with Bill via his job in the post-war RCAF. After postings in Moncton NB and Ottawa, they shipped off to Metz, France with their young family. They spent every free moment exploring Europe, Kay navigating with Michelin maps in hand. After returning to North America, first to East Lansing, then to Ottawa, nothing could stop her restless spirit. No sooner was a house bought and redone in her eclectic style, it was time to move on. When she wasn’t moving the family from house to house, cottages (true to form, there were many over the years) were favourite places to garden, swim, kayak, and explore rural backroads. Eventually she ventured west and convinced Bill to join her on the coast. They split their time between Vancouver winters and Ontario cottage summers, with world travels in between.

Kay’s final moves were to care homes as dementia took hold. She kept her ability to dance and laugh until the end. She died in Calgary after a mercifully brief bout of COVID-19.

She will be greatly missed by us - her children Kay Jr (Calvin), Jill (Peter), Eric, Ann (Jamie) and her grandchildren Kim, Jack, and Anna. We wish to thank Kay’s carers who filled her last few years with kindness and humour.