Kit Pilgrim Bright

Bright, Kit P (born Katherine Stuart) of Calgary, AB passed away on April 16, 2020. If you are reading this, I have passed on to a more peaceful life. I was the youngest daughter of the late Charles and Audrey Stuart of Halifax. I am survived by my siblings Diana Haydon (Peter), John Stuart (Doris), and Nancy Fullerton (Ben - deceased). I am leaving behind my three beloved daughters, Jennifer Paolucci (Mario), Katherine Bright (Jeremy Podlog) and Heather Bruneau (Cory). I also leave my precious grandchildren, Julia, Celia, Ethan, Olivia, Judah, Hope and Reed, who have brought me so much joy. I am survived by my partner Joe Hobson and his children Katie St. Aubin (William and children Madeleine, Genevieve and Benjamin), Colleen Avery (Mike) and Joe Hobson (Kat and son Hugo). Last but not least I leave behind my little dog, Penny Potter – she was my loyal confidante for the last 15 years. Thank all of you for everything. I have had a wonderful life and have been blessed in all aspects of my life. I wish you joy and happiness – do not grieve but rejoice in the life we shared.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m. at South Calgary Funeral Centre (12700 Macleod Trail South). We ask that everyone please wear “Bright” colours. Those who cannot attend in person are welcome to join us via livestream by copying the link or scrolling to the bottom of the page and following the services link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4MTc2ODU3OTI0NjU5MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

No flowers please – they will be wasted on me now. Please send your donations to the charity of your choice where it will help most. Thank you.

For those of you who knew Kit she was fiercely independent, spunky and loved to tell her story her way which is what she did above. We respect her wishes to have done that but would also like to say a few words.

Our mother was strong and courageous, she did not back down from a challenge. She would stand up for the underdog. She was extremely loyal, if she was your friend, she was your friend for life. She loved winters in Mexico, summers in Sylvan, and Fridays at the Legion!

We would like to extend our thank you to some of the most amazing Doctors that our Mum was fortunate to have been in contact with.

Dr. Leo Zalmanowitz for his thorough examination in the Rockyview ER that initially identified her disease.

Dr. Steven Yip for his compassion, patience and kindness in treating our mum. She thought the world of you and we are so grateful for your guidance through her journey.

Dr. Jackson Wu for your treatment plan that allowed our Mum to be finally rid of her pain in her last few weeks. That was a gift that we are eternally grateful for.

Unit 47 Palliative Care team including Dr. Allison Murray and Dr. Jennifer Hughes who treated all of us with empathy and took the time to get to know our Mum and fully understand her uniqueness which helped us navigate her final days.

With the challenges associated with COVID-19, this team of doctors and nurses took every opportunity to keep us informed and to answer all of our questions with kindness but also with realism. They showed us incredible compassion in Mum’s final days, allowing each of us and Joe to spend time with her and say our goodbyes.

“Otam”, we will miss those lazy days at Sylvan, the giggles you had that would make us all laugh and watching you in your happy place with the whole family together but we know your unbreakable spirit will be there with us. We love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. Love you long time, love you short time, love you all the time.

For those of you who wish to donate to charity the family would ask that you donate to either the Alberta Cancer Foundation or Foothills Medical Centre.