Kathryn Swanson passed away peacefully at her home at Hawthorn Woods, in her 92nd year, on Friday, January 3, 2025.

Kathryn is survived by: her sister, Jewell Elizabeth “Liz” MacKay (née Horner); her children: Eric (Cindy), Carol (the late Phil), Sonia (Gil), Steven (Anna), and Paul (Victoria); her grandchildren: Lauren (Craig), Holly (Morgan), Magnus, Myles, Stephanie, Adèle, Rhéanna, and Lauriève; and her great-granddaughter, Everleigh Grace. Kathryn was predeceased by Roy, her loving husband of 66 years; her parents, Elizabeth Ellamena Horner (née Walters) and Sergeant Ralph Eason Horner and her brother, Ralph Jr.

Kathryn, "Kathy" was born in Ottawa, Ontario. She graduated from Loretto Abby High School in Toronto and went on to attend the University of Toronto, where she met Roy, an ambitious young engineering student. Kathryn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, class of 1955. By this time, Kathy and Roy had fallen in love, and they married on August 31, 1956. Kathy and Roy moved to England to pursue his post-graduate studies. They later lived in Toronto, Minneapolis and Mississauga, Ontario, where they raised their five children: three sons, Eric, Steven and Paul, and identical twin daughters, Carol and Sonia.

Kathy impressed everyone with her elegance and poise. In 1981, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario chose her over hundreds of other applicants to become his primary executive assistant. It was a role Kathy relished. She was the quintessential parliamentary employee and the Honourable John Black Aird was often heard bragging about how superb Kathryn was in her position.

After working at the Ontario Legislature, Kathy went on to become Executive Assistant to the President of Browning Ferris Corporation’s Canadian Head Office. In 1994, she was voted by her peers as the most valuable employee in Canada and received the honour of becoming the Chairman’s Club Nominee, which led to her invitation to join the company’s prestigious Presidents Club in 1995.

Once retired, Kathy worked as a professional actor and seniors model for more than 20 years. She earned ACTRA credentials and had considerable success, working steadily throughout her seventies and eighties and achieving a huge volume of work in background assignments in movies, television, commercials and print work. In 2012, Kathy won the lead role in the suspense thriller, The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh, a role narrated by Vanessa Redgrave. Kathy also frequently appeared in episodes of Murdoch Mysteries throughout its first 13 seasons.

Kathy and Roy stayed physically active their entire lives. They loved waterskiing, downhill skiing, tennis and dancing, and they enjoyed playing bridge. She and Roy joined Dance Lovers USA to add to their repertoire of dances and they had fun participating in exhibitions. Kathy’s favourite sport, however, was tennis. During their honeymoon, Roy gave Kathy her first racquet and she quickly became an avid player. She loved the competitiveness and camaraderie of the sport. She was elected President of the local Glenforest Tennis Club in 1976 and founded an annual Juniors Tournament with other local clubs.

Kathy began volunteering at the annual Canadian Open Tennis Championships in Toronto in 1984. She was put in charge of VIP Services, a position that was a natural for Kathy, as she was able to put her excellent interpersonal skills to good use, working with the players and supporting their families. The position often required that Kathy use her diplomacy and perspicacity to resolve sensitive situations. Kathy’s abilities were so impressive that she was named an ‘Everyday Champion’ in 2009, an honour awarded each year to just one of over 1500 volunteers. Kathy eventually retired after 35 years of volunteering for the tournament.

Kathy and Roy were a travelling team. They visited 98 countries and 7 continents together. When at home, Kathy cherished the time she spent with friends and she was extraordinarily talented at hosting dinner parties. She was fun to be with, laughed easily and often, was joyful, high-spirited and eternally cheerful. Friends knew they could always count on Kathy.

Kathy’s finest quality was her complete devotion to her family. She celebrated birthdays and holidays with tireless enthusiasm and delight, cooked magnificent Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts and passed down new and cherished family traditions. Kathy’s commitment and dedication to raising her family and her ability to help her grandchildren whenever needed was truly remarkable, and at times, heroic. Throughout even the most trying of times, she remained patient and kind when it mattered; a steady, calming presence with unwavering optimism. During their 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, Roy declared, “I’ve never met a finer person.”

Kathy was a rare and uncommon beauty. With a generous heart, enchanting spirit and gentle smile, she was unforgettable. There was no one like Kathy.

Kathy is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Mom. You made a difference and left the world a better place. We will honour her legacy.

Friends and family may visit at Turner & Porter - Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga (Hwy #10 at QEW) on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.

Funeral Service shall be held in the chapel on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:45 am.

Burial shall take place at Highland Memory Gardens, North York.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kathy’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, an organization for which she volunteered during their annual Daffodil Campaign, at: cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/in-memory-and-in-honour-donations, or to The Salvation Army, a charity Kathy supported all her life, at: donate.salvationarmy.ca/page/63451/donate.

Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca