She loved and was loved

Kathie passed away on Monday, November 22, 2021. Born in Sarnia on October 20, 1940, the daughter of Wilson and Florence (nee Bailey) Atmore, she will be missed by husband Ab, children Stephen (Lily Sung) and Krysha (Sean Carey), and grandkids Isla and Declan Carey, to whom she was a devoted and loving Nana. Kathie was proudly a member of the London, Ontario, Victoria Hospital School of Nursing Class of ’62, a remarkable group of women who early on decided wisely that the special men or women in their lives should be welcomed at their reunions, a decision that essentially doubled the number of friendships that were renewed over the years. Sadly, her passing means that she’ll miss their 60th next spring.

After she graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in public health, her career reflected, she would remind us, how much the world changed as the years passed. She learned to drive a stick-shift Volkswagen Beetle through snowy London winters to provide in-home nursing care as a member of the Victorian Order of Nurses. She was a resident nurse at Westminster Collegiate in London, and later at Eaton’s in London and at its flagship store in Toronto- leaving younger folk to ask, “What’s a stick shift?”, “What’s a school nurse?” and “What was an Eaton’s?”. She was a member of the Mississauga branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women, where she shared stories and laughter over the bridge table.

The steadfast foundation upon which her family relied, she was also willing to take considered risks. When, at the age of 38, Ab suggested he return to university, Kathie’s “Let’s do it!” propelled the family to rent their fully furnished London home to UWO graduate students- OMG!!??—while they, Stephen aged 6, Krysha 4 and Tiger the cat hauled a trailer to a student apartment near Yonge and Bloor in Toronto for a one-year residence. Miracle of miracles, their faith in studentkind was affirmed! On their return to London, their home and its contents were in better shape than when they left! Neither then nor since have we been able to find anyone who would recommend such a rental agreement. Kathie’s three-word vote of confidence in the future opened the family to enjoying a much broader world.

Cremation has taken place and a private family spreading of ashes will follow. Consider using the time saved by not attending a funeral to call someone to remind them you love them. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.