KATHLEEN MARY CAIRNS

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KATHLEEN MARY CAIRNS Peacefully, our beloved mother, Kathleen Mary Cairns (nee Scurfield), passed away in her 90th year, at Rock Lake Hospital. Mother was the last member of a family of five brothers and four sisters, the children of Thomas John and Sarah Ann (nee Milburn) Scurfield. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Jack (Isobel) Scurfield, Bert (Nell) Scurfield, Tom (Hazel) Scurfield, Bill (Cynthia) Scurfield, Ralph (Nan) Scurfield and sisters, Irene (Frank) McRae, Dorothy (Fred) Foxon, Hazel (Chas) Reiach. She leaves to mourn her children, Irene (Russ) Argue, Sheila (Dick) Robb and Bob (Irene) Cairns; also her 12 grandchildren with whom she spent many happy hours; 19 great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Isobel and Hazel and brother-in-law Charlie and her many nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond. Mother was born in the "little brown shingled house" beside what is now the Knox United Church in Clearwater, on April 4, 1911. Mom completed her schooling to Grade XI and at 16, started working at the telephone office in uptown Clearwater. On July 25, 1934, she married Robert Roderick Cairns in Knox United Church, Clearwater. They moved to Holmfield where Irene, Sheila and Bob were born. In 1946 she went to Normal School in Winnipeg, graduating in the Spring of 1947. Mom started teaching that September in Greenway and taught there for 1947, 1948 and 1949 where, as well as teaching and raising a family, she completed her Grade XII by correspondence, achieving straight As. In 1949 to 1950 and 1950 to 1951, Mom taught at Bethany and then returned to Clearwater where she taught until 1961. In 1961 she moved to Winnipeg and taught special education in Seven Oaks School Division until her retirement in 1976. Mom enjoyed living in Osborne Village, travelling, Manitoba Theatre Centre shows, travelogues and her involvement with the Fort Garry Chapter of the Eastern Star and Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. In August 1995, Mom moved to Prairie View Lodge in Pilot Mound where she had a very happy life, enjoying the activities as long as she was able and appreciating the kindness of all the staff. Family and family activities were very important to her, and Mom seldom missed an occasion that celebrated a wedding, graduation or anniversary. She was always happy that everyone was just "doing their thing!" Her life, having made the full circle, was completed with her funeral service held at Knox United Church on Wednesday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m., with interment at Clearwater Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kays memory to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grahams Funeral Services of Pilot Mound.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 22, 2000