It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Kathy at age 81.  A much loved mother, grandmother and a friend to many.  Mom accepted her recent cancer diagnosis with strength and dignity.

Mom grew up in Richmond and later Surrey.  She became a practical nurse and met our dad who lived in the room across the hall at her boarding house.  They married and raised their family in Surrey.  As a parent she was strict but also very supportive of letting us kids be kids.

Mom and Dad were married for 40 years and spent their retirement years in the Okanagan where they enjoyed travelling and visits from their grandchildren.  After Dad’s passing in 2000, mom moved back to the lower mainland and settled in Langley. There was an adjustment period getting used to living on her own, but she soon thrived making new friends in her condo building and began volunteering.

For over 14 years, Mom volunteered with, in her words “a great bunch of people” at Penny Pincher Thrift Store.  She was so proud of the funds they raised for the Langley Hospital.  She valued the friendships she made there and was so appreciative of the cards, emails and phone calls that she received from many of them after her diagnosis.

No doubt she will be remembered for her crazy sayings and her no nonsense attitude.  For years mom was like the Energizer Bunny, always on the move and really only slowed down in the last year or so. You could always count on seeing her bombing around Langley in her prized red Volvo. Boy, she loved that car!

She was so proud of her grandchildren and their many accomplishments. Probably her biggest regret about her imminent passing was that she would not be able to see more of their life stories unfold.

She was so loved and will be greatly missed by her daughters Valerie (Chris) and Pam (Mark). Grandchildren Courtney (Zach), Rachelle, Jennifer and Shayne, as well as an assortment of nieces, nephews and her good friend and cousin Allan.

There will be no service by request, but we ask that you take a moment to think about her. If it includes a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, know that she would like that.