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KATHLEEN FLORENCE LOVELACE

Born: Aug 20, 1922

Date of Passing: Oct 17, 2012

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KATHLEEN FLORENCE LOVELACE August 20, 1922 - October 17, 2012 With deep sorrow and love, the family announces the sudden loss of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Kae, at the age of 90. Mom had the briefest of illnesses and passed away very peacefully at Concordia Hospital, chatting with her family and quite in control of things to the last moment. She leaves her sons, Rick (Judith) and Glenn (Shannon), and her daughters Bonnie (David) and Sharon. She will be remembered with great love forever by the grandchildren who meant so much to her, Debra (Brydon), Heather (Charles), Michael (Isis), Sarah (Paul), Collyn, Keith and Leigh; and three great-grandchildren, Alex, Beau and Luc. Kae is also survived by her brother-in-law Chid, sister-in-law and dearest friend, Dorothy, and close cousin June, along with many nieces and nephews who were an important part of her life. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Floyd, sister Norma, brother Ron, and parents Betty and Merritt Smith. Mom was born on a farm near Brandon, and moved to Winnipeg at an early age, spending the rest of her life in Elmwood and East Kildonan. She met Floyd before the war, waiting for him faithfully until he returned on Christmas Day 1944, during which time she served as a W.A.F. in Ottawa and Winnipeg. Mom and Dad married within a month of his return, and embarked on a journey together with enduring love and strength that reached out and surrounded everyone who knew them. Mom was devoted to her family, her home, her friends and neighbours, her community and her church. As a railroader, Dad came and went at all hours of the day and night, and the two of them could frequently be found in the wee hours of the morning with the coffee going and breakfast being cooked, and wakeful children were welcome to join that table in the dark hours. Mom believed that there was little that could not be solved by family and friends gathering around the family table; she taught us all to sit down and break bread together every day, a lifetime habit for us. We spent summers at Boundary Park in a cottage, and many can recount the hilarious stories of 15 or 20 people sitting down to dinner around a large table, and Mom presiding over large casserole dishes in roasting pans. When the children grew up and left, Mom went to university and took a certificate in geriatrics. She worked in that field for several years, then used her contacts to turn herself into an entrepreneur, starting up a successful business, The Good Old Days, a shop and tearoom that sold the crafts of many seniors in Winnipeg. The Friday night dinners at the shop were legendary, not only for the number of turkeys that flowed through, but also for the number of people who ate for free because they didn't have much and money never mattered. After losing Dad, Mom took up residence in Concordia Village, where again she made new friends and maintained her reputation for getting involved, providing advice and organizing people. Mom made friends all her life, cherishing the ones of old, and welcoming new ones, and staying in touch with them all. She was a force to be reckoned with, and we will all miss her greatly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winnipeg Harvest, which was dear to her heart. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel United Church, 755 Golspie St., East Kildonan on Saturday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m., reception to follow in the church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2012

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

  • Dear everyone in the Lovelace Family. My sincerest condolences and love to all of you, the only other family in the world who I am proud to say I have known my entire life. And I mean that truly. Auntie Kae was the very first person in the world who held me in her arms the day I came come from being born in the hospital. Mom and Dad handed me directly over to her and that is if not my first memory, my introduction to the warm and loving arms of your Mom....and Dad and our lives on Neil Avenue which I will treasure the rest of my days. Your Mom and your family were so integral to my life for so long....nearly my whole life....all of us growing up together, playing in the crabapple tree, going to school together, birthdays, weddings, funerals.....all of life....the good and the not. How I will remember the incredible Christmas Eve parties and the special gifts. Your parents and my parents I know you know were so very close and shared in all our joys and sorrow for nearly 59 years. I think it so rare in the world that the beautiful relationship blossomed for all those years like the blossoms on that unforgettable crabtree. I have so many incredible memories of your Mom.....and Dad......the birthdays, the anniversaries, all the cooking and baking your Mom and mine did and shared and the indelible friendship of my Dad and your Dad. I dare say there couldn't have been a familial relationship this close. Those beautiful summers. Even the winters. Your wonderful grandparents. I hold still those memories to my heart. I just had a wonderful chat with her I think it was around the end of September and she still God bless her, sounded wonderful and exactly the same. Dearest Rick, Bonnie, Glenn and Sharon.......you above all know what your Mom meant to me. She was like having another Mom who just happened to live next door. In later years and even after your Dad passed, we kept in touch or rather she always managed somehow to keep tabs on me and she'd always want to know what my Academy Award pics were so she could let her movie friends group know. Her leaving our beloved Neil Avenue to Concordia Village was really sad for my Mom and I did try to manage a visit via me to visit my Mom who would ironically move away from Neil only 2 months later but it didn't come to be and I'm so sorry that didn't materialize. But I know that somehow....both your beautiful Mom....and Dad our reunited now with my parents and just maybe our Moms are in the kitchen cooking up a storm and our Dads are cutting lawns and planting tomatoes and talking war stories. How incredibly lucky we all were to have such remarkable....and I truly stress that word......to have such incredible and generously loving parents such as we did. And do in our hearts. My apology for this coming so delayed. I was out of the city at that time and I don't always read the paper and I just did not know.....and I so hope this message reaches you. You all remain and especially your beautiful Mom such and important part of my life. She will forever be missed by me but always be so close to my heart. All my condolences and love to all of you. Marty - Posted by: Martin Silvert (Family friend of 59 years) on: Nov 18, 2012

  • Our deepest sympathies to Glenn, Shannon and family on the passing of your mom/grandma. We hope that the many happy memories you have of her will help comfort you at this time. - Posted by: Winnie & Butch Tanasichuk (Friends) on: Oct 22, 2012

  • Aunt Kae approached life with energy and enthusiasm which I always admired. My very first job was at Good Old Days and I loved every moment spending time with you and Uncle Floyd. The Friday night dinners at the restaurant, and Uncle Floyd bravely letting me drive home from the restaurant on Saturdays after we closed are just a few of the many fondest memories However, the most memorable are Christmas eve's spent at your home. This always made Christmas complete for me; as I am sure it did for many. You welcomed so many family and friends into your home, and always made every single one feel loved. Whether we sat around in the living room, or stood in the dining room, or cozied up in the sun room you always made sure every one was happy and content. Your carrying nature and energy will be missed by all. Love, Cathy - Posted by: Cathryn Paterson (Family Friend) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • the quick pitter patter walk of a gracious and beautifull lady is sadly missed on the 3rd flr.of concordia. condolences to her family and friends. - Posted by: katherine wood (neighbor) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • I will never forget Christmas Eve as a child with Uncle Floyd and Antie Kae at their home on Neil. A house full of family, friends, advise, love, and of course a plethora of wonderful food. A memory that I will cherish for my lifetime. Floyd and Kae were lifelong, genuine friends within our family. Kae and my grandma Themla were lifelong friends. Even this past May, Kae being her last living friend, made a special effort to visit her on her 90th birthday and bring her ice cream to the nursing home. Friends like this are rare, and are cherished forever. Auntie Kae and Uncle Floyd and their commitment to love, friendship, values, and generosity will be part of thoughts, and will have a special place in my heart, forever. - Posted by: Jamie Paterson (Family Friend) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • When I arrived in W'peg to study in 1980, and needed a job, I was blessed to be led to Kae and her "Good Old Days." From knowing her there, Kae became a long-time source of love and support for me; Kae and Floyd welcomed me into their family, and Kae was always there for me in her unique way of encouraging and embracing. She gave the toast at our wedding, and just 7 years later she helped me to navigate the painful loss of my husband. Although there were many years between us in age and, for the last 15 years, much geographical distance between us, Kae continued to bless my life with friendship and support. Just 2 weeks ago, during a phone conversation that lasted over an hour, Kae was emphatic in her delight that she could still support me despite the changes over the years. To you, Kae's family, I grieve with you because I, too, know the unique gift of being loved by Kae and thus the tenderness that now comes with the loss of her presence in your life. I encourage you at this time of grief to be grateful, to be strong, and to carry on the extraordinary capacity for loving that we all loved in Kae. - Posted by: (Rev) Lorraine MacAskill (grateful "more-than-friend") on: Oct 19, 2012

  • May your heart and soul find peace and comfort, May the blessings of love be upon you, May it's peace abide with you, May it's essence illuminate your heart Now and forever more - Posted by: Sharon (foster daughter) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • Kae was an amazing support to students studying for ministry for many years. I was one who came under her wing - she had a remarkable way of believing in us, far beyond what we deserved. We always knew she was there for us... - Posted by: Bill Millar (one of her students) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • Sarah, my condolences go out to you and your family at this time. I will always remember the time when your Grandma came up to the ward looking for you. Stephanie (clerk) - Posted by: Stephanie Chen (Co worker) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • Our deepest sympathy to the whole Lovelace family !!! Kae was such a wonderful grand lady !!! Our prayers are with you as you go through these very difficult & sad moments !!! Edmond & Gabrielle Boulet - Posted by: Edmond & Gabrielle Boulet () on: Oct 19, 2012

  • It was always a pleasure to chat with Kae when I returned to my Winnipeg home church, Immanuel United. Kae kept in touch with me through her "job" as Envelope Secretary for years -- I particularly remember getting a picture of the new Hobart Dishwasher in the mail, a longed for addition to life at Immanuel. - Posted by: Myrna McRae (Friend (from West Kelowna, B .C.)) on: Oct 19, 2012

  • We came to know both Kae and Floyd through Rick and were saddened to hear of her sudden passing. Our condolences to all the family. - Posted by: Bob and Pat Johnson (friends) on: Oct 19, 2012

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