Tribute

It is with mixed grieving and rejoicing that we announce the passing of Kate into the Presence of the Lord at the age of 85.

Kate was born in Agassiz BC and was 5th of 11 children. Her family grew up on a homestead in Sardis BC. Life was busy on a farm with such a large family. Her mother passed on her love of music and singing to Kate and her siblings. They were a musical family! Kate was also taught to see the beauty in nature around her, flowers, birds, animals, and most important of all – the Love of God.

When she was 15, Kate made her commitment to Jesus Christ after hearing the parable of the sower. The Lord saw her through many hard times and kept her always in His care. She was baptized in July 1952 in Yarrow BC.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Kate left home at the age of 17 to work in Vancouver. After a few years, she went on a blind date and was thrilled to discover it was Walter, a handsome young man she had noticed at a ball game.

Walter and Kate married in 1956 and made their home in Vancouver where they lived for 36 years,  raising their 2 children before retiring to Abbotsford. They enjoyed 64 years together, their home open to family, friends and neighbors. They were active in their church and traveled many places, served in ministry, SOWERS, prison ministry, women’s ministry and invested themselves in individual lives, wherever the Lord led them. It didn’t matter where they went, they made friends out of strangers.

Kate had wonderful memories of her life, and an amazing gift of telling her story.

She was welcoming and hospitable and always thought of others comfort above her own. She loved having family and friends around her.

Kate touched so many lives in a positive way. Her love for people and keen interest in each one set her apart. She was genuine, loving, tender and tough at the same time. She said what she meant and meant what she said. She did not let the fear of people dictate her or keep her from following her heart.

We have been deeply blessed to have her in our family and will miss her lovely vibrant and spunky personality, her quick wit, humor, her selflessness, wisdom and guidance with patience, her smile, her faith in The Lord, her faithfulness in reading her Bible, God’s Word, and her generous loving heart.

Kate always loved large windows that would let light shine in. Til the end, even in her battle with cancer, her eyes shone with love from the window of her soul.

For now, Kate left behind a loving family (to join those who have gone before her),

her dear husband Walter, her daughter Brenda (Chris), her son Kelvin (Wanda),

Her grandchildren Angela (Chris), Gabriel (Amanda), Joshua (Tara), Ashley and great grandson Finnley, her brothers Ernie (Katy), Don (Sherri) and sisters Susan, Esther (Barry) and Elsie (John) along with many nieces and nephews, and the greater family.

It was Kate’s heart’s desire to see each one of us again…

‘I pray we will all meet in Glory

When the roll is called up Yonder

That we will all be there.’

Thank you to the palliative ward at Abbotsford Regional Hospital for their incredible and compassionate love and care for Kate. It comforted our family greatly.