CATHLEEN (KAY) ROSENTHAL

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CATHLEEN (KAY) ROSENTHAL (nee McCLURE) On Sunday, January 18, 2014, our mother, Kay passed away peacefully, with family at her side at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home. Mom was born on March 28, 1923. She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Alexander Martin Rosenthal (Alex) by only a few months, by one daughter (Adele Snelgrove) and one infant son (Keith). Kay is survived by six children, Noella (Norm Davison), Alex and Cathy Rosenthal, John/Zeke Rosenthal, Lorne and Gisele Rosenthal, Janice Sisson, and Glenn Rosenthal as well as scores of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Kay shared a special relationship with many of her nieces and nephews. Mom was the middle child and last surviving member born to Richard McClure and Catherine Brady who immigrated from Northern Ireland to East Kildonan at the end of the First World War. Their family grew to include seven children Charlie, Anne Elizabeth (Nanny), Richard (Dick), Mom, Ed, Earl and Henry. Kay went to school first in East Kildonan and later in Ridgeway, MB (near Balmoral) where her father had purchased a small family farm to escape the ravages of the Great Depression. It was in that Ridgeway area that her path first crossed with the Fortney family who were close family friends. Louis Fortney used to call square dances at the local hall and he introduced Mom to his young, charming and talented nephew Alex Rosenthal who had just moved into the city from the wilds of northern Ontario. According to Mom, she was instantly charmed by his ambition, good looks, gentle manner and musical talents. Circumstances intervened and their romance was interrupted by the war years. During this time, Alex was out of town taking his radio college training and working in remote areas of the north. Mom initially worked as a bookkeeper for Perth's, at the Misericordia Hospital and for the T. Eaton Company in the mail order department. Mom and Dad were engaged immediately after Alex returned from an 18 month stint on Southhampton Island in Hudson Bay. Their marriage on November 8, 1946 marked the start of a 68 year cross-Canada odyssey that involved literally dozens of moves and relocations throughout northern and western Canada as they followed Alex's job assignments with the Department of Transport. With Dad out of town for long periods at a time, Mom worked hard raising seven kids and feeding and looking after countless members of extended family over the years. Mom would encourage family get togethers for any reason. Our home was always the centre for weddings, showers, funerals, Christmas events and special occasions. Mom would be in the kitchen preparing food and assuring that everyone was well fed. Her warm smile always made you feel welcome. She had a passion for quilting, sewing, knitting, gardening and reading. Mom had a repertoire of special dishes she would prepare - deep fried perogies, fish and chips and cheese and onion pie. She loved spring fishing for pickerel and ice fishing with Dad at their home in GoldPines, ON. Mom would ride the sled across the ice, pulled by their Newfoundland dog Jezebel. Kay loved to wear her "bling" and Dad presented Mom with exquisite pieces on a multitude of occasions. The jewellery was always accompanied by long stem red roses that had a knack for showing up at any and all special events. Mom was the original "reno queen". Over the years she renovated numerous houses and became adept at drywall, tiling, painting and decorating. Mom was a proud and frugal penny pinching child of her generation. She recycled, refurbished and reused long before "going green" was cool and chic. Mom and Dad led a full, rich life together which included a long, happy retirement as they watched their kids and grandkids grow up. They mastered the art of the cross-country marathon road trips accompanied by their trusty Thermos and egg salad sandwiches. They followed a pattern of leaving early and stopping only for fuel. Their road trips to Vancouver to visit the boys and their families and their time on the sailboat, "Jezebel" provided many fond memories. Although there were many different setbacks in their life's journey (including losing a son in infancy and their much talked about and ill-fated attempt at cattle ranching in the Inwood area in the early 1950s), they persevered. Mom had an incredible work ethic and she demonstrated the ability to always move forward, overcoming any and all obstacles in her path. Mom enjoyed remarkably good mental and physical health right up to the last few years but after losing dad just a couple of months ago, she seemed to lose her vigour and enthusiasm for life and her health deteriorated quickly. Both Mom and Dad spent their final months at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home. The family would like to thank the nurses and support staff at the home for the exemplary care provided to both Mom and Dad during their residence there. Your gentle and caring nature will not be forgotten. A service celebrating Mom's life and legacy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2015 in the Caboto Hall, 1055 Wilkes Ave. Flowers gratefully declined but if friends and family so desire, donations can be made to the Victoria Hospital Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2015