KAY ATKINS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KAY ATKINS It is with much sadness that we inform friends of the death of Kay Atkins, in her 95th year, on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. Kathleen Mary Sanders was born in New Haven on February 20, 1922 to Edward and Emma Sanders. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon, her parents and three brothers George, Reg and Ron. Kay grew up in Manitou where she learned a love for sports, sewing and music. After graduating she worked as a teller for the Royal Bank in Manitou and Morden, a career which she loved. She was a skilled and meticulous bookkeeper throughout her life. In August of 1949 she married Gordon Atkins and transitioned to life on the farm north of La Riviere. She adapted to the new life and became involved in the communities of Archibald and La Riviere as they raised their family. Her farm yard and garden were a source of pleasure and pride. Her love of sports continued as she curled, played ball, golfed and skated. She was the organist at the United Church for many years and loved music throughout her life. When they retired from farming in 1974 they moved to Melita and then Portage with Gordon's job. When they were officially retired they moved to Glenboro where they golfed, curled, square danced and were active in the church and community. In 2000 they moved to Pilot Mound and Gordon passed away that year. In 2001 Kay purchased her home in the 55 Plus at Manitou, returning to her roots. She immediately was involved in the community and loved everything in which she participated. Kay had many close friends and enjoyed spending time with them as long as she didn't have to play cards. Her spare time was spent quilting, watching curling or baseball on TV, reading and writing letters to friends and family. Kay's love for her large family was the most important thing in her life. She made huge scrapbooks of anything and everything they did. She needed to know what each of the family was doing and tracked trips in her Atlas when family travelled. Until last year she sent birthday cards and Christmas gifts to all of her 50 plus family members. Kay's family is Beth (Larry Thompson), Mary (Dennis Belanger), Margie (Glen Anderson), Eric (Bev Stewart) and Craig (Dolores Hill). She leaves 12 grandsons and their spouses, eight great-grandsons and 18 great-granddaughters, one great-great-granddaughter, sister-in-law Lorna, and special nieces and nephews. A celebration of her amazing life will be at St. Andrew's United Church, Manitou on Tuesday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m. A private family ash interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, La Riviere, Manitoba. If friends wish, in place of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choice, with thought to the La Riviere Cemetery Association. Messages of condolences may be made online at: www.wheatlandfs.com Wheatland Funeral Service 204-825-2848 - www.wheatlandfs.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 01, 2016