KATHERINE SPENCE (JOHNSON)

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KATHERINE SPENCE (nee JOHNSON) On Monday, February 13, 2006, Kay passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, after a brief illness. She was 93 years of age and had been a resident of Winnipeg for all of her adult life. Surviving Kay are her son Dennis (Doreen); daughter Barbara (John); grandchildren, Farrell, Elizabeth, Kelly (Brent) and Brian (Karen); great-grandsons, Evan and Ryan; sisters, Ellen and Jenny as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Owen Stanley Spence in 1986, after 41 years together. On April 3, 1912 Kay was born and grew up on a farm near Erinview, MB. She was the second child of Selma and Nils Johnson, who emigrated from Sweden in 1906 and 1903, respectively. With her four sisters, Ellen, Selma, Mary and Jenny and two brothers, John and Julius, she shared an early life of hard work on the farm. However, there was also music, adventure, a love of animals and the development of relationships with her siblings that would be lifelong and close. After moving to Winnipeg in her 20s, she worked for a number of years at the old Victoria Hospital with her sister Ellen, good friend Verna and many other pals with whom she enjoyed her single years. In 1945 Kay met and married Stan, after he left the airforce, and they soon took up residence in their little house in East Kildonan. Here is where they raised their family and where Kay remained until she was 87. During her years in East Kildonan she enjoyed good friendships with neighbours, folks that she bowled with at Roxy and Rossmere Lanes and her involvement with parishioners at St. Stephen's Anglican Church. She also spent a lot of time in her garden, which year after year produced a variety of vegetables and beautiful flowers. Kay and her sister Mary were great travel companions in their later years; together they saw much of Canada, from the East to the West to the North. With her sister Ellen she shared a deep interest in issues related to health and nutrition. Jenny, her youngest sister, was particularly helpful in keeping Kay's memories of farm and family alive. For the past five years Kay has resided at the Eastern Star Lodge in Charleswood where she again enjoyed the company of good friends and neighbours; she appreciated the assistance from the nurses who enabled her to remain independent as long as possible. Throughout this time, her little bird Tony was her constant companion. Kay has always provided encouragement and support to her grandchildren and has also found tremendous joy in her two dear little great-grandsons. She was awaiting the arrival of a third great-grandchild with much excitement. Behind a quiet and gentle exterior was a woman of enormous strength, courage, loyalty and perseverance. Kay was loved and admired by family and friends alike and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. On Thursday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. Kay's memorial service will be held in St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 220 Helmsdale Ave., with The Rev. Diane K. Guilford officiating. The family would like to thank Dr. G. Maharaj and Mona at Crestview Medical and the staff on the 5th floor of the Grace Hospital for the care and compassion they extended to Kay during the past month. Also, we would like to thank her lovely hospital roommates who shared so graciously their laughter, wisdom and support with both her and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kay's memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society or to a charity of one's choice. Kay's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 18, 2006