KATHLEEN (KAY) MURIEL BUTTASSY (RICKNER)

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KATHLEEN (KAY) MURIEL BUTTASSY (nee RICKNER) July 8, 1925 - June 25, 2006 It is hard to summarize 80 years of living into a few brief paragraphs but we will try. Life began in a house on Larsen Street in East Kildonan on July 8, 1925. Kay was the third of what eventually became a brood of five. School took a back seat to the many sports that she excelled at, such as speed skating and track. Kay had a tightly knit group of friends that have been there for each other to this very day. But that was not the only long lasting relationship that she had in those early years. In 1946 she started a summer romance with one Archie Buttassy at the old Grand Beach Dancehall that led to a 40 year marriage. This in turn led to the births of four children, Michael, Randy, Linda and Maureen suffering the loss of Michael at the tender age of two. Kay was known as such a sun worshiper that if she had had her way, the Grand Beach cabin would have been right on the beach. If you look closely, you will find her pictured on the Grand Beach postcard along with thousands of other sun lovers. She lovingly took care of her family and home until returning to the workforce when her children were older. Kay worked (mainly partied with Fred and his ladies) in the kitchen at Central Park Lodge, little realizing that she would return to that institution (now known as Poseidon Care Centre) as a resident to supervise the staff on site. Kay loved her full life, surrounded by family; close friends and a gang of seven couples that came together after the Second World War who provided a deep core friendship and support that will last forever. Days were filled with biking, bowling, swimming, trips to different casinos and delivering Meals on Wheels with Pat Bean to, as Kay would say, the old folks (usually much younger than her). Kay lost Archie in 1989, but not before the birth of twins, Amanda and Samantha to Linda and Steven Karpyshin, who also had Sarah in 1995. Her other two grandchildren, Michelle and Marc, were born to Maureen and John Guzej. And out of her five siblings, three passed before Kay-Jack Rickner, Bea Penn and Eileen Taylor. Kay suffered a massive stroke in 2004 which brought about a drastic lifestyle change. This entailed giving up her house and moving into Poseidon, though she still returned home for short stays. Staff at the Care Centre, many of whom were old friends, became like a second family and greatly helped in the transition. During her two years there, Kay was as independent as possible, making new friends and helping when possible. So there you have it, a life overflowing with love for family and friends. In addition to those already mentioned, Kay will be and already is missed by her brother Frank Rickner along with his wife DJ; sister-in-law Margaret Rickner, Archie's sisters, Lou Fabro, Allie Lumsden and Judy Mckenzie and her dog Casey. We would like to extend our thanks to the great staff at Poseidon Care Centre for every moment that Kay was there and to Dr. J.R.A. Smart for not only his medical care but for his help with her orchids. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, please give to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to Poseidon Care Centre in Kay's name. Please join us in a celebration of her life. We know she would love to see you there. Wednesday, July 5, 11:00 a.m. St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Pl. Arrangements entrusted to: VOYAGE FUNERAL HOME CREMATORIUM 1531 Pembina Hwy. 284-7500

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 02, 2006