MCCALLUM, MARY KATHLEEN (KAY)

Kay McCallum passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at the Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge. Kay, the second of three daughters of George and Lillian Kiddle, was born in Brandon, Manitoba on March 27, 1921. The family lived near Pelly, Saskatchewan before moving to Alberta and finally settling in Calgary.

In 1941 Kay became the first woman in Alberta to sign up in the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She served as a Sargent in London from 1942 until 1945. For many years she enjoyed attending the C.W.A.C. Reunions and valued her friendships with her fellow veterans. After the Second World War Kay lived and worked in Toronto and Medicine Hat. Then she was employed by Parks Canada in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Waterton National Park and Banff National Park in Alberta. When she retired to Calgary she resided in Watergrove Park and in Harbours of Newport. In September 2009 Kay moved to Lethbridge to be closer to her sister, Sibylla, and niece, Elaine. She lived at Black Rock Terrace until her health necessitated a move into St. Therese Villa in March 2011.

Kay always had a keen interest in sports. In her younger days she participated in cycling, curling, golfing, goose hunting and fishing whether it was catching a trout in a mountain stream or landing a marlin off the shores of Hawaii. In her later years she was an avid fan of curling, hockey and football.

Kay will be greatly missed by those who knew her. She is survived by her niece, Elaine (Terry) Rusnack, Lethbridge; nephew, George (Anne McTavish) Cranston, Calgary; grandnieces, Aimee Cranston and her children Marcel & Kathy, Calgary; and Melanie (Richard) Mazereeuw and their children Jordan and Braden, Drumheller; and her grandnephew Wendell Rusnack, Lethbridge. She also is survived by her first cousin Millie Lennox, Didsbury and several second cousins. Kay was predeceased by her parents, by her sister Bea Kiddle in 1978, and by her sister Sibylla Cranston in 2010.

Kay’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks to those who cared for her at the Chinook Regional Hospital and St. Therese Villa. We especially appreciated the compassionate care given to Kay by Dr. Aaron Coma and Associates of Family Medical Clinic, Dr. L. Oviatt and Judy Arvidson, R.N. Community Care, Alberta Health Services. Special thanks to Kay’s Paradigm companions, Val and Betty, whose visits always brightened her days.

At Kay’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay’s memory may be given to the Military Museums CWAC Display, 4520 Crowchild Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T1T 5J4 or the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 - 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5

Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone 403-381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca