Kathleen McLAREN

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McLAREN: Kathleen Frances “Kay”, beloved wife of the late John A. “Jack” McLaren, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Virden Health Centre, with her family by her side. Kay was born to Alfred and Nina Lucking on August 15, 1922 at the family farm southwest of Elkhorn, Manitoba; she had three older siblings: Charlie, Dorothy and Freeman. She grew up in Elkhorn and attended Elkhorn School. She worked in Flin Flon and Elkhorn before marrying Jack McLaren on June 12, 1946 and moving to the farm at NE 18-11-26 in the Montgomery district. In 1979 they moved to a home in Virden and in 2004 they became residents of Evergreen Place. She continued to live in her own apartment after the passing of her beloved Jack in April 2009. After her children were grown, Kay worked as a bookkeeper at Valleyview Coop for 11 years, where she met many people from the Virden area. Long after her retirement, she remembered most of their names and enjoyed a visit whenever she saw them. After their move to Virden, she and Jack took up golfing and attended many local sports events, following the Virden Oil Kings hockey and Virden Oilers baseball teams. She was a loyal fan of “her” Toronto Blue Jays and spent many evenings in front of the television, coaching from her armchair. She enjoyed doing crossword, jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles; she crocheted or knit afghans for her children and grandchildren, and baby blankets for her great-grandchildren. She and Jack loved playing cards and she continued to enjoy a game of crib with anyone who came to visit. They also loved to travel, taking many trips with friends by car or on a bus tour. Right up until her passing, Kay enjoyed an outing, whether it was a drive in the country, a visit for coffee, or a meal at a local restaurant, where she could catch up on the comings and goings of the people in her community. Kay belonged to St. Mary’s Anglican Church and, later, St. Paul’s United Church and was a member of Unit H; as well, she was a member of Crocus Rebekah Lodge No. 8 in Virden, going though the chairs. Kay belonged to the Canadian Order of Foresters’ Ladies at Hargrave and was a member and officer of the Virden and District Health Auxiliary for over 25 years. Kay is survived by her children: Brian and Catherine McLaren of Brandon, Merle and Randy Browning of Virden, Bonnie and Lomer Girardin of Virden, and Jeanette and Larry Logan of Lenore. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they will miss her dearly: Chris and Tania McLaren, Jack and June; Lindsay McLaren; Michael Browning, Brayden and Carson; Mark and Kelly Browning, Brooklyn and Quinton; Amber Browning and Ryan Lozinski, Jerrin, Jaden and Jagger; Andrew Girardin and Caitlin Laird; Melissa (Girardin) McWhirter and Garrett; Kelly (Logan) and Curtis Mytopher, Owen and Leah; and Autum Logan. Kay is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law Harold and Gladys McLaren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who were all very special to her. The service to celebrate Kay’s life will be held at St. Paul’s United Church, Virden on Monday, June 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Linda Clark officiating. The interment will be in Virden Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial tributes to Kay may be made to Virden & District Health Auxiliary Remembrance Fund, P.O. Box 2526, Virden, MB R0M 2C0 or to Virden & Area Palliative Care, P.O. Box 400, Virden, MB R0M 2C0. E-mail messages of condolence or sign the on-line Book of Condolences at carscaddenfuneralchapel.comG.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Virden in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 31, 2014