Mary 'Kay' Catherine Lush Bartlett

Kay Bartlett 79, Sydney    When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Mary 'Kay' Catherine Bartlett who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Kay was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Mary 'Kay' knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.      Kay was born on September 22, 1929 at at her parents home in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Her parents were John and Sadie (King) Lush. She was raised in the Sydney area. Even as a youngster, Kay learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.      As a young girl, Kay was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Kay was raised with eleven siblings. She had four brothers; Percy, Jackie, Bernie and a brother who died in infancy, as well as seven sisters; Cecilia, May, Gerry, Delores Theresa, Pauline and Marg. Kay had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Kay, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.      Kay was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When she was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Kay came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Claire Richardson and Mary Yard. Later in life, she became friends with Pearl Burns, Frances Smith, Linda MacDonald and Helen MacEachern.      An objective and conscientious individual, Kay reveled in the security of her family. On February 13, 1945 Mary 'Kay' exchanged wedding vows with James Clement Bartlett at St. Theresa's Church in Sydney, Nova Scotia. One of Kay's most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.      Kay was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Kay would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Kay was blessed with six children, two daughters; Sandra, Geraldine; four sons, Michael, John Patrick, James Jr. and Bruce. They were also blessed with 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.       Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Kay was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Kay was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Kay upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was Ward Clerk at the City Hospital and she also worked at Zellers as well as the Call Center. Kay was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”      Kay approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuit was knitting. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.      Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Kay to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included bowling. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list was hockey.      A civic-minded person, Kay was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. She was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Politically, Kay was a supporter of the New Democratic Party.       Faith was important to Kay. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of St. Thereasa's Parish.      When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Kay used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Kay had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included trips to Florida, Ontario and The Valley.      Kay was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Missy, a cat given to her by her great-grandkids Kassey and A. J. They were best friends for 6 years.       Kay passed away peacefully at MacGillivary Guest Home in Sydney, Nova Scotia on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. Kay was a former longtime resident of Ashby. She fought a brave battle against cancer and alzheimers. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, James; two daughters, Sandra (Jimmie) Campbell, Sydney, Geraldine (Ken) Steffens, Lawrencetown, N. S.; four sons, Michael (Sheila), John Patrick (Betty), James Jr. (Evelyn) and Bruce (Kim) all of Sydney; grandchildren, Darren, Michael, Michelle, Logan, Keith, Karen, Crystal, Melissa, Debbie, Kenny Jr., Keith and Danielle; great-grandchildren, Angela, Lindsay, Jordan, Triston, Shelly, Morgan, Blair, Ashley, Sabrina, Sarah, Anthony, Leeah, Kassey, A.J., Heidi and Lisa and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are three brothers Percy (Elsie), Jackie (Joan) both of Sydney and Bernie (Gloria) Port Hawkesbury and six sisters Cecilia Oliver, May Breen, Delores Penney, Theresa Farrell, Pauline (Lawrence) Somers all of Sydney and Marg Bethune, of Ontario.       Kay was predeceased by a grandson James (2007) and a granddaughter Mandy (1969); a sister Gerry Stanwick and a brother in infancy. Visitation for the late Kay Bartlett took place Monday, August 31, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in St. Theresa's Church with Rev. Jim Oliver officiating. Interment followed in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks. All who knew her would agree that Mary 'Kay' was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Mary 'Kay' Catherine Bartlett did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.**********************************************God saw you getting tired when a cure was not to beSo He wrapped His arms around you,and whispered, “Come unto Me.”You didn’t deserve what you went through,And so He gave you rest.God’s garden must be beautiful.He only takes the best."Gone but never to be forgotten"**********************************************