KATHLEEN MARY LE SANN (SHAND)

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KATHLEEN MARY LE SANN (nee SHAND) Kathleen Le Sann passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, peacefully at her home in Carrot Valley, in the company of family. She was 70 years old. Kathy is survived by her children Ginette (John MacKay) of Winnipeg, Philippe, Joel (Merrill), Alain (Jackie), Edith (Shawn Sexsmith), Armand (Ashley) and Roland of The Pas; sister Lorraine (Ferdinand) Kopeschny; brother Doug (Lori) Shand of Winnipeg; stepsister Susan Bilinski of Cranberry Portage; and her 18 grandchildren. Kathy was predeceased by her husband Armand Le Sann in 2013; parents Raymond Shand and Edith Braine; siblings Richard and Corinne, and several siblings-in-law and other relatives. "Katinka" was born in Winnipeg on December 10, 1947, and grew up in the Weston neighbourhood. She was a busy and curious girl, attending school at Cecil Rhodes where she excelled in choir, and Daniel Mac where she learned to paint. Kathy's independent spirit took her, in the summer of 1969, through Europe and North Africa where she had many adventures, including jaywalking to see the Arc de Triomphe and being ejected from a wool shop in Scotland after innocently asking why they called the wool "virgin." She met Armand in February of 1970 when they were both working on campus at the University of Manitoba, and they married in December of that year after she witnessed his polka dancing skills and met his mother. Kathy was excited about marrying a farmer and found the notion of being a farmwife quite romantic, although Armand had taken care to warn her that pioneer life would be very hard. Kathy was willing to take on any challenge and did not shy away from manual labour. She had strong beliefs - a woman can do just about anything; a person can learn just about anything; never give up; keep a stiff upper lip. Kathy took the job of mothering very seriously and, in the usual way of farm families of her generation, was the primary homemaker, gardener, and child-raiser. At the same time she was Armand's right hand in developing a large and successful mixed farm near The Pas. He taught her the basics of construction and she built up an extensive set of skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and home design. She did all the home renovations over the years, even making furniture and built-in cabinets. Kathy had an artisan's sensibility and made clothes for the family, carded and spun her own wool, carved wood, produced pottery and ceramics, and worked with stained glass. She taught her children many useful skills including how to garden, identify tree species, raise and butcher chickens, drive, cook, change diapers and "stand up straight!" After 20 years of focusing on farm and family, Kathy re-entered the workforce and worked as a tree nurse, a pharmacy tech, a real estate agent, and a bank teller, interspersed with stints in a dress shop and an accounting firm. Upon son Joël taking on the family farm the Le Sanns worked with son Alain to build their dream home nearby. Kathy spent several years researching her family tree, and travelled the world with Armand. She loved music and dance, and a couple of her favourite holiday moments with Armand were a flamenco show in Catalonia, and the 2010 Sting concert in Sarasota Springs. They were history buffs and once found themselves locked inside the Western Development Museum in North Battleford, SK, and had to climb over a seven-foot-plus barbed wire fence to get out, tearing their pants whilst laughing hysterically. A staunch royalist, Kathy experienced the thrill of a lifetime when she found herself only a few metres from Prince Charles during his visit to the Manitoba Legislature in 2014. In 2013 she took on the role of nurse and cared for Armand during the last six months of his life in order that he would not have to leave home. Kathy was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and faced it courageously and with great determination. While undergoing chemotherapy, she enrolled at Kelsey Learning Centre and earned her high school diploma, with honours with distinction, shortly before passing. She also designed a stunning home on Clearwater Lake and was able to see it built by Alain and finished almost to completion. In accordance with Kathy's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral service. Private interment is planned for later in 2018 at Riverside Cemetery, The Pas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manitoba Historical Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 14, 2018