KAY STOW

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KAY STOW

Shortly after celebrating her 91st birthday, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Kay (Robertson) Stow, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 23rd, at Westview Lodge, Boissevain. While Alzheimer’s disease stole much from Mom’s later years, we are thankful that she never lost her sense of humour, her smile, and that lovely twinkle in her eye.



Mom is lovingly remembered by her children, Murray Stow (Lynette), Lorraine Reimer (John), and David Stow; grandchildren Mark Stow (Natasha) and Meara Stow; Kyle (Nicole) Reimer and Colin (Laura) Reimer; great-grandchildren Connor, Nora, and Kaylee Reimer; her brother Cliff Robertson; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Myrtle Robertson, her siblings and their spouses, Don, Bill (Joyce), Ellen (Dunc), Ian (Dorothy), Babs (Archie), Betty, infant sister Ann, sister-in-law Eileen, as well as her ex-husband, Doug.



Kay was born on July 18, 1932 in Macklin, SK, the second youngest of nine children. As an infant, she moved with her family to Saskatoon when her father, Roy, had to be hospitalized due to complications from injuries he had received in The First World War. Kay was five years old when her father died. Her mother, Myrtle, then raised her large family alone, in difficult circumstances. Mom never forgot how they had to stretch each dollar back then. While growing up, one of the things Mom loved best was returning to the Macklin area to spend time on her favourite aunt Margaret’s farm.



After graduating from high school and teacher’s college (Normal School), Mom taught in the Haultain School, south-east of Saskatoon, for two years while boarding with the Merwart family, who became dear lifelong friends. She then went on to study and work at Prairie Christian Training Centre (PCTC) in Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, where she met Doug Stow from Graysville, MB. They were married in 1958 in Saskatoon and settled on a farm between Graysville and Carman, close to where Doug’s parents and their four sons farmed together.



In addition to being a busy mother of three children, Mom contributed to the Stow family farming operation and, later, to their grain marketing business as a wonderful hostess and cook for many farm and business functions, as well as for extended family celebrations. She dedicated herself to family, home and garden as well as to church and community, caring more for the ‘behind the scenes’ roles she enjoyed.



In 1990, after 32 years, Mom and Dad’s marriage ended. She then moved to Brandon where she enjoyed 24 years of independent living, settling into a small bungalow with a huge garden! Mom devoted her new life to her children and grandchildren, as well as to friends and neighbours (both new and old), and to sharing her beloved garden, her sewing and crafts, as well as her delicious cooking and baking. She renewed her efforts to play the piano by taking lessons, though she appreciated the social aspect more than the sixteenth notes! Mom enjoyed family time, particularly if it involved camping in the Turtle Mountains or travelling to visit family throughout Canada, especially when both Murray and David lived out on the West Coast. Whenever possible, she relished any time spent near water, whether it was a lake, an ocean, or a garden pond.



In 2014, Mom was diagnosed with diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Needing full-time medical care, she moved into the Westview Lodge in Boissevain where she lived for the rest of her life. One of her great joys during these years was the arrival of, (and visits from), her three great-grandchildren. One of Mom’s favourite sayings was ‘aren’t we lucky?’ which was her way of showing appreciation for all the good in her life.



Our family wishes to express our profound gratitude to Dr. Meyer Nell, Kim Webb and the entire Westview staff, and to Pastor Wes Geortzen, for the wonderful and compassionate care they gave Mom while she lived at Westview.



The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Whitewater Mennonite Church in Boissevain, MB. Interment will be in Saskatoon, in the Robertson family plot, at a later date.



Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, 60 Archibald St. Winnipeg, MB, R2J 0V8, (www.habitat.mb.ca / (204) 799-6883). Online condolences and memories may be shared on the Wheatland Funeral Services website (wheatlandfs.com).

Until we meet again, Mom. We love you.

Wheatland Funeral Service

204-523-7791 www.wheatlandfs.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 24, 2023