Obituary of Kathleen Page
Peacefully, and surrounded by her family, Kathleen passed away at Westmount Gardens Long Term Care facility on October 15th, 2017, just two hours short of her 106th birthday. Kathleen, the youngest daughter of Joseph Henry Smith and Florence Smith (Ravenscroft), was born October 16th, 1911 in Aston, a suburb of Birmingham, England. During her long and full life, she experienced all of the major events of the 20th Century. She grew up during the Great War (World War I), married during the Great Depression and nursed her children through the World War II bombings of England. In 1948, Kathleen, with her husband Donald Sydney Page and two small children emigrated to Canada, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, moving on to Montreal, then to Toronto. During most of their 45 years of marriage, Kathleen and her husband worked together in the geriatric care profession. They also took time out for a few years to run a chicken farm. In their profession, they brought care, compassion, humour and hope to countless aged patients at stops in Toronto, Newmarket, Sudbury and Ottawa. They retired together in 1971 and enjoyed a few years of travel, including several cruises prior to her husband’s death in 1978. Kathleen settled in Milton at that time and became involved in volunteer work, line dancing and singing with the Milton Song Spinners. As an active member of the Senior Citizens Club, she travelled throughout North America. She lived a busy, happy and productive life. She often said her retirement was a wonderful time. Known to her grandchildren as “Nanny”, to her great-grandchildren as “GG” and to the staff at Westmount Gardens as “Special K”, Kathleen will be missed by all. She was predeceased by a son, Colin Douglas Page (1955); her daughter, Anne Yaroshak (2016); her husband, Donald (1978); and a grandson, David Yaroshak (1986). She is survived by her son, Donald Page (Claire), of London; her grandchildren: Brent Page (Gary Mark), of Vancouver; Shannon Alexander (Brad), of London; James Carrey, of Whitby; and Paul Yaroshak (Su-Ming), of Toronto. Also remembered by her great-grandchildren: Paige and Evan Alexander; Caprice, Jaimee, and Cheyenne Carrey; and Dylan and Luka Yaroshak. Cremation has taken place. A private family farewell will be held at a later date. Interment will be beside her husband and infant son in Newmarket Cemetery. In Kathleen’s memory, friends and family are asked to spend a quiet moment in remembrance of their own mother. Special thanks to all staff at Westmount Gardens Long Term Care facility and particularly to the workers in the Iris Neighborhood for their wonderful care and compassion. Thanks also to WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, for their kind, professional and caring assistance.
