Catherine ARMSTRONG

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ARMSTRONG: Catherine (Kay) Christena, née Nicol, RN, RPN, BA (Gen Studies) of Brandon, MB passed away February, 17, 2014 at Fairview Personal Care Home, Brandon. Kay was born October 31, 1932 and was raised in Saskatchewan, the second child (of seven) of Andrew and Kate Nicol, in the RM of Orangeville near Moosomin. The seeds of Kay’s dislike of cold weather likely took root during the long rides from the farm to the school during the long prairie winters. Regardless, Kay was a proficient student, and continued her education by going to Brandon and signed up for nursing college in 1951. Enrolling in the new 31/2 year course for General Nursing and Mental Diseases Specialized Nursing, she received her certification for both Registered Nursing and Registered Psychiatric Nursing in 1954. She was the 12th person in Manitoba to receive the new the RPN accreditation. On January 8, 1955, to start the New Year right, Kay married James Robert (Jim) Armstrong.  Just days before the wedding, Kay won a new car in a charity lottery, and after that she never walked by a car lottery without buying a ticket. They lived in Winnipeg while Dad took on major construction projects, but they were back in Brandon before the end of the year for the birth on their first child, Glenn. In 1956, they moved to Calgary where Dad worked on the Glenmore Dam, and Kay worked at the Calgary Hospital. Their second child Wayne was born in Calgary in 1958, then in 1959 they returned to Brandon, where Jim started his Plumbing and Electrical business and the family grew with the arrival of their third child, Janice. Returning to work with 3 children at home, with a house and later a cottage under construction, Kay continued her career in nursing at BMHC, where she eventually became the Director of Continuing Education. During her years of service at BMHC, she trained many nurses, many of whom, have commented on her devotion and of the skills and attitude that she imparted to them. Kay also supported her husband’s activities at the Shrine club and her children’s activities in school, band, Scouting, DeMolay and Job’s Daughter’s. She was an enthusiastic baker and could also be counted on for the yummiest desserts – her recipe box overflowed with recipes shared and received from others and if she know you were coming, she would be sure to make your favorite. She was also Jim’s number one supporter when he ran and served as an alderman for the City of Brandon, and later his runs for MLA. In 1975, Kay received her Bachelor of General Studies at Brandon University. Kay was active in her own causes, and was a long time member of PEO, worked on the reunion committee for her BMHC graduating class, served on the Shriner’s Wives Club and was a tireless worker for the Shrine Circus. Before Jim’s passing in 2007, they enjoyed 52 years of marriage sharing time with family at the Brandosa cottage and later travelling to Europe and RVing to the Yukon and Alaska. After Jim’s passing, she was able to go to Singapore to visit Janice and Harvey and then on to New Zealand, where she connected with some of the relatives that Jim had discovered in his research of the family tree. As a pioneer and long time educator in the field of psychiatric nursing and a strong advocate for higher education for psychiatric nurses, she was honored with a scholarship named for her. This scholarship is awarded to a 4th year student in the baccalaureate program at Brandon University. Near the end of her life, she was fortunate to have received excellent care from some of her students, and also from one of the recipients of this award. Predeceased by her husband Jim; sisters, Marg Adie, Joyce McKay, Ruth Hesse, and brother-in-law, Lorne Hesse. Mom will be remembered by her children: Glenn (Colleen) of Winnipeg; their children Scott (Wendy) Armstrong of Vancouver, Shawna Armstrong of Winnipeg, Wayne of Brandon; his children, Amy (Dave) Funk of Niagara-on the Lake and Ashley (Kurt) Neumann of Niagara- on-the-Lake, Janice (Harvey Glick) of Singapore; their children, Caitlin Glick of Los Angeles and Jordan Glick of Singapore. Mom is also survived by two great-grandchildren: Nolan Matthew (Amy) and Isabella Josephine Ann (Shawna); sisters Isabel (Don) Bamford of Melfort, SK, Janet (Roy) Kellow of Calgary, brother, Garry Nicol of Brandon; many nieces and nephews. She also had special affection and respect, for Marlene Armstrong, Kris Armstrong and Elaine Nicol, whom she still considered family. The family would also like to thank Bev Haverstock for her regular visits to Mom and Bev’s many acts of kindness to her. The family wishes to express gratitude to Christine Tuttosi and staff of Fairview Home for the care provided to Mom, and the staff of Assiniboine Centre, with special thanks to Gerry Smit, RPN for going above and beyond in service and in friendship to Mom and the family. A Memorial Service will be held at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North, on Wednesday, May 14th at 1:00 pm. A time of sharing with refreshments will follow the ceremony. Private interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Registered Psychiatric Nurses Foundation (which awards an annual Kay Armstrong Scholarship), 1854 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 0G9. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 10, 2014