Obituary of Kathleen Marie Lawrence

Kathleen Marie Lawrence passed away at the Riverside Health Complex, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the age of 61 years. Kathleen leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Jay; 3 children, Lee (Heather) Lawrence, Glen (Danelle) Lawrence and Angelina (Xaviour) Campbell; granddaughter, Sadie Campbell; brothers, Richard (Islay) Shortland and Dennis (Darlene) Shortland; sister-in-law, Marg Shortland; brother-in-law, Grant Lawrence; several nieces and nephews, as well as several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Mabel Shortland; brother, Melvin Shortland; and parents-in-law, Richard and Josephine Lawrence. Kathleen was born July 1, 1954, the youngest child and only daughter of William and Mabel Shortland. She was raised along with her three older brothers; Melvin, Richard, and Dennis on the family farm southwest of Briercrest, Saskatchewan. Kathleen attended Briercrest School and after graduating from Grade 12, began working at Kresge’s in Moose Jaw where she met her husband-to-be Jay Lawrence. In the summer of 1973, Kathleen began her career with CIBC in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She married Jay on July 19, 1974 and moved to Red Deer, Alberta. In 1976 Lee was born in Red Deer and by 1977 the family moved to Turtleford, Saskatchewan. The family was completed with Glen in 1980 and Angelina in 1984. Kathleen enjoyed reading, playing piano, knitting, being a mom, baking, family vacations, and gardening. The memorial service for Kathleen was held at The Good Shepherd Church, Turtleford, Saskatchewan on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 2:00 pm with Reverend Don Skinner officiating. Gloria and Randy Kanten read a heartfelt tribute during the service. The hymns sung were “In the Garden” and “Morning has Broken,” along with the choir solo “Let There Be Peace on Earth” accompanied by organist, Bev Meikle. A piano solo, “Tears in Heaven,” was played by her daughter, Angelina Campbell. The honorary pallbearers were, Brie Shortland, Candace Shortland, Andrea McQueen, Christina Doepker, Elaine Shortland, Sadie Campbell and all of Kathy’s family and friends who shared in her life throughout the years. The active pallbearers were Michael Shortland, Dean Shortland, Todd McQueen, Grant Doepker, Steven Shortland, Patrick Shortland and Jim Drewlo. Donations in memory of Kathleen may be made to the Lloydminster SPCA, North Battleford Humane Society or to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Funeral arrangements were administered by McCaw Funeral Services Ltd. Of Lloydminster, Alberta. A TRIBUTE TO KATHY READ BY RANDY AND GLORIA KANTEN Kathy was born July 1st 1954 in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. She was a daughter to Bill and Mabel Shortland and a sister to Melvin, Richard and Dennis. Kathy was survived by her beloved husband Jay Lawrence and children, Lee and fiancé Heather, Glen and his fiancé Danelle, and Angelina and her husband Xaviour. After graduating High School at Briercrest in 1972 she worked at Kresge’s department store where she met her husband Jay. They were married July 19, 1974; after, she started working for the CIBC Bank then was transferred from Red Deer to the CIBC branch in Turtleford. Kathy and Jay were well admired and liked by all. That’s when Randy and I become their friends. Surprisingly, Kathy had brought a piano to the marriage and her new found friends were recruited to move this piano within all three moves while changing homes. The final loading of the piano was in 1977 when Kathy and Jay decided to make their final move to Turtleford; to return to their farming roots… Kathy worked as a Teller, an Accountant Manager, and Assistant Manager then finally a Branch Manager for the CIBC Bank in Turtleford. Though, in Aug 2012 she was able to retire. Since Kathy’s move to Turtleford, she had an out of home career while raising three children. She ran a vibrant household and was a dedicated Hockey MOM for all of her children - never missing a game, attending all the kids’ activities as their number one supporter and fan. Being a farmer’s wife was Kathy’s passion: running “Meals on Wheels” by cooking and delivering food for the harvest crew, managing the books, and providing taxi service while keeping the extended families and friends abreast with personal events was part of Kathy’s everyday routine. Additionally, Kathy made it her duty to volunteer at the Good Shepherd Church, helping with functions and singing in the choir. She helped with working the counter for TADRA and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce serving as Secretary, Treasurer and President. Kathy was a very proud mother of her children. She always made her family her first priority while at the same time worrying about the needs of others before her own. The kids can attest to her selflessness as she always had an extra congratulatory wedding card available or had the coveralls clean and ready to be worn to work the next day. Another passion of Kathy’s was her love of playing the piano, cooking, baking, vegetable gardening and growing flowers. She enjoyed watching and feeding birds; her favorite were the hummingbirds. Most of all, she was an animal lover. This could be witnessed in the ways she cared for her dogs and cats within the home. One of Jay’s fondest memories is dancing with Kathy; the love of his life. Whereever and whenever there were music, both Jay and Kathy could be found on the dance floor. In visiting with Lee, Glen, and Angelina they had so many great memories of their mom; memories of Christmas’ at Melvin’s with Kathy playing classical piano, and Melvin picking it up and doing his version of Classical Honkey Tonk Style – their version or dueling pianos. Kathy hosted what so many kids called, “Hotel Lawrence.” These kids knew there was always a bed to sleep in and a warm meal just in case they couldn’t make it home. So many of them referred to her as “mom.” One time Kathy rescued a woodpecker that flew into the living room window. This woodpecker had a broken wing and Kathy was quick to nurse it back to health. After two weeks, Jay figured it was healthy enough to be set free when it flew over and landed on top of his head and started pecking away: drawing blood. Also, one of the kids remembered his mother disciplining him with a wooden spoon, to no avail; she then moved on to a spatula, then onto a meat tenderizer with a very light tap to bring a stream of fake tears. He ran away yelling, “I’m going to tell dad when he gets home!” After Jay arrived home, he was told by the un-named son that mom had punished him with a meat tenderizer. Now, Kathy was confronted by Jay; when the un-named child shouted, “GOTCHA MOM.” In all essence, Kathy Lawrence was a great secret-keeper. The children could confide in their mom: knowing it would go no farther than their dad. There were many memories of trying to sneak into the house late at night with a single light still shining in the living room. They would quietly remove their shoes and at the first step Kathy would yell, “YOU’RE LATE!” and they immediately knew they were in trouble. Kathy’s brothers Richard and Dennis remembered young Kathy dragging their large yellow family cat out into the yard by the neck as its tail swished well past her knees. Her mother had just dressed her in a pretty little dress; but it turns out, Kathy had developed brown marks on her legs while handling the cat. Her mother asked, “Kathy what’s on your legs?” Kathy replied, “Kitty had to go potty.” Also, the brothers remembered a time when Richard had convinced Dennis that nickels were worth more than dimes because nickels were twice as big. Hearing this, Kathy wanted to get in on the great deal… little did they know this would lead to her success of becoming a professional bank manager. We have some of our own memories of Kathy. One time we went camping in the mountains: 2 hours from civilization in a pickup truck. We had an old wooden topper to sleep in with and a sheet of plywood that created the top bunk where Kathy would sleep while being 8 months pregnant with Lee. Though she was very uncomfortable she never complained once. The next day she was even out jumping creeks and fishing with us – as always, being a good sport. Kathy tolerated a lot of nonsense from the three of us. She was the non-drinker, so we always had a designated driver, even back when DD was not heard of… Kathy had an infectious smile and a laugh that was truly bright and heart felt. Kathy will be dearly missed by many. We will hold you in our hearts and memories forever. CARD OF THANKS The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all doctors and staff at Riverside Health Complex and the staff of C.O.P.S at Battefords Union Hospital. We would also like to thank all those who called, visited, brought food, flowers, and/or donated to a charity in Kathy’s memory. Thank you to Reverend Don Skinner, Bev Meikle, the Choir, as well as, Joel and Dave McCaw along with their staff for providing a compassionate and heartfelt memorial service.