November 29, 1931 – October 31, 2023
With mixed feelings, sadness because Kay/Mom/Grannie/Auntie/Friend will be missed but happy for her to be able to sparkle as she did with her son Ken & so many other family members and friends who were waiting to greet her.
Kay will be missed by Daughter Randy (Clancy) Scheirer; Sons: Dan & Rob Paialunga; Grandchildren: Tanya (Doug) Edwards; Clayton (Ildico) Orr; Tara Scheirer (Mark Moreland); Selena (Adrian) Diepold; Jason Paialunga; Jaime Paialunga; Jessica (Ken) Dyck; Alisha Klassen; Miranda Klassen & Robbie Paialunga; Great Grandchildren: Courtney & Melissa Edwards; Megan Orr; Alaina (Treyden) Pastro; Kiefer Orr; Shaun Scheirer-McDowell; Ashton & Addison Diepold; Isabella & Giovanni Paialunga; Mason Mitchell; Brooklyn Coppendale; Jace & Sawyer Dyck & Margo Perdue as well as the many friends of children who have become family over the years! Kay also had many cousins, nieces & nephews that loved her dearly --- she was the last of her generation of Aunts!
Kay began her life in Regina with parents Andy & Happy (Maude) McCuaig & siblings Shirley, Bill, & LoyAnne. Kay was 10 when family moved to B.C. and stayed on Hatzik Island with family until they got their place in Vancouver. Kay attended Beaconsfield & Vancouver Tech.
Kay told stories of how friends & cousins would go by bus to the big dance hall in White Rock & after they would go for pie at a local diner, Kay said it was the best lemon meringue pie ever! Kay’s first jobs were in retail, because she loved to shop!
Kay married Ken Paialunga in ‘51 & lived with his family on 16th Avenue until their first son, Ken, came along. The first family home on Inverness Street saw the arrival of their daughter Randolyn (Randy) in ‘52, son Dan in ’54, and son Rob in ’59. Kay was very busy but still found time to help with the cafeteria at kids’ school. ’62-’64 found the family moving from Vancouver to Maryhill to Coquitlam and then finally to Haney where all the kids finished their schooling and became adults. Kay loved to garden, and she and her sisters were known to carry shovels in their cars so they could dig plants when they saw a deserted property.
Kay took an accounting course in her late 30’s and began working in offices – she really enjoyed working at VanHerricks where it combined her love of plants and working with numbers…Kay was known to rule the office with her ‘big stick’. At this time Kay lived in a big old house in Burnaby where many large family gatherings were held. Sadly, Kay lost her oldest son Ken to a car accident in ’92. Shortly after this Kay retired to Mission to be closer to family. Kay loved thrifting and going to garage sales – she loved nothing better than finding ‘treasures’ be they some kind of ‘collectable’ or ‘designer’ clothing. Kay followed her Aunty Martha in becoming a volunteer at the local Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store where she was in her element and had great time sorting out the ‘good stuff’ to save for their annual ‘Collectable Sale’.
Kay moved to Randy & Clancy’s basement suite in late 2011 as she turned 80 years old. Kay enjoyed good health until 2014 when she suffered her first heart attack; she was in RCH for 10 days where she received 2 stints and a pacemaker…Kay rallied and had a few good years before suffering another heart attack in 2018, unfortunately her overall health was starting to decline at this point. She had a fall in late 2018, another mid 2021 & confusion was setting in. It was after another fall in April of 2022 when she was hospitalized, and it was determined that she would need extra care. June 2022 Kay was moved from hospital to Menno Place where she enjoyed thinking she was ‘running the place’. The staff have many storied that they loved to share about Kay being their ‘boss’.
Sadly, Kay got pneumonia Oct. 28th and was put on Palliative Care on the 30th. She had visits from many family members on the 30th and 31st and with Randy & Rob with her she passed peacefully at 6:30 PM on the 31st as outside some massive, beautiful fireworks were exploding. What a sendoff!! XoX
Great thanks to all staff of 2 West at Menno Place for their loving care of Kay for the last 17 months of her life. XoX
There will be a Celebration of Kay’s Life on Saturday, November 25th from 3 PM on at Randy & Clancy’s place – 33086 Myrtle Avenue in Mission – 604-826-6547. Everyone is welcome!
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