KATHRYN LUCY

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KATHRYN LUCY McGAVIN It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kathryn. After ten years her breast cancer returned this fall. She fought a courageous running battle for the last ten weeks. She died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, December 12. Kathryn was predeceased by her mother and father Lucy and Bob McGavin of Thatcher Drive. She is survived by her best friend and husband Bob Tarry; daughter Cheryl Gilleshammer; son-in-law Brian Gilleshammer and her beloved little girls Laura and Sara Gilleshammer; her brother Jim McGavin and his wife Wendy Golish of Oregon; three stepchildren, Jill Hutchinson, David Tarry and Elizabeth Tarry (Gordon Comeau) of Temecula, CA; and by three loving stepgrandchildren, Evan, Leslie and Naomi Hutchinson and their father Geoff Hutchinson. Kathryn was born in Winnipeg on June 22, 1949. She attended St. Maurice elementary school and St. Mary's Academy. She then attended the University of Manitoba earning a BA in Political Science in 1971 and a Masters in Political Science in 1978. In 1975 her first marriage ended and Kathryn and Cheryl began a beautiful and strong mother-daughter relationship. Kathryn decided that as a single mother she would pursue an education that would provide sufficient income to care for Cheryl and herself. She returned to university, with the support of her parents, to earn a Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1981. Upon graduation, Kathryn joined the federal government in Winnipeg where she worked her entire career. She started as an Industry and Trade officer with the Department of Regional Economic Expansion. She assumed increasing levels of responsibility during her 15 years of dedicated public service, culminating in a Director position with the National Research Council of Canada in 1990. She remained in that position until her initial encounter with breast cancer in 1995 necessitated a medical retirement. It was through her work with the federal government that Kathryn met Bob. Their years together brought Kathryn the greatest personal happiness of her life and the mutual support that they gave each other during Kathryn's illness was a testament to their close and loving relationship. As she did everything in her life, Kathryn dealt with her medical challenges head on. She understood and took an active role in her treatment until the very end. All who knew her will remember and aspire to achieve her strength and bravery under the most difficult of circumstances. The family would like to thank the staff and doctors of the Health Sciences Centre who were so professional and caring for Kathryn and her family. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Kathryn's name to CancerCare Manitoba (Breast Cancer Research), PO Box 2248 Stn. Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9. www.cancercare.mb.ca A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. THOMSON IN THE PARK Funeral Home and Cemetery 1291 McGillivray Blvd - 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2004