KATHLEEN ELIZABETH GASKELL

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KATHLEEN ELIZABETH GASKELL October 8, 1914 - August 5, 2011 Kathleen (Kae) Gaskell (nee Milligan), much loved wife of the late Peter Gaskell, died at Misericordia Health Care Centre on August 5, 2011 at the age of 96. Her children, Mary and husband Brian, Jim, and Eleanor, will lovingly remember her. She was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren who will sadly miss her: Hilary, Fiona, Jillian, Neale, David, Joanne, Alison, Jeffrey, Chris, and Wesley; and 7 great-grandchildren: Thomas, Mahalia, Teyo, Tremayne, Garrett, Tyler and Toby. Kae grew up in London, Ontario. After Tecumseh school, she won a scholarship to the University of Western Ontario where she majored in French and German, and graduated with the gold medal in German in 1936. She was the first person to sign up for a new summer UWO French immersion program in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec and went on three occasions. She was nicknamed the Grandmother of the program. Following graduation Kae obtained her teaching degree at the Toronto College of Education. She could not get a teaching post during the depression, however, and worked as a library assistant at the university. While there, she was approached to teach French to two or three adult students. Her future husband, Peter, was one of them. Kae and Peter were married on June 29, 1940. Kae's life was devoted to her family. She encouraged and supported Peter in his work as a medical technical assistant in the air force and through his years of medical school. She looked after their three children. As Peter's career in medical research progressed, she helped to move the family in 1952 to England, and in 1956 to Winnipeg. As the family grew up and spread out, Kae and Peter spent many memorable holidays travelling to Ireland, and across Canada, to spend time with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Kae worked for several years in Winnipeg teaching secondary French at Sisler, Vincent Massey and Balmoral Hall schools. Kae was very musical and enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She learned to play a variety of different types of recorders and joined a recorder group. She was a member of the University Women's Club and also volunteered for the CNIB. In each of these activities, Kae made lasting friendships that enriched her life. During their latter years, Peter and Kae moved into The Westhaven where they were very happy. When Peter died in 2007, Kae greatly appreciated the wonderful support of friends and staff there. Kae will be remembered as a loving mother, gran, great-gran and friend who enjoyed playing with words and ideas, had a vast store of poetry and song, and could recite a verse suitable for any occasion. Her family would like to thank the staff of Riverview and Misericordia for their care during the final months of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kathleen to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, MS107 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. A private family gathering took place prior to cremation.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 09, 2011