Katherine Ruth MacLean

MACLEAN, Katherine “Kay” Ruth - August 11, 1927- August 22, 2019 In Dartmouth, at 92 years, our dear mother has “gone west”. Kay was born in the old Pictou post office, the first child to the Postmaster, the late George and Muriel (Beer) McLean. Tempered and influenced by the challenges of growing up during the Depression and the Second World War made Kay resilient, self-reliant and a steadfast optimist. She never lost this exuberance. “I only drink champagne” was her light-hearted response when asked for her favourite drink—a zest for life in the company of good friends. If things were particularly excellent, she instructed us to “freeze the moment”. Our mother was an accomplished pianist at a young age and a fine artist, continuing to paint into her 80s. She was a fount of movie and music knowledge from the era of the big bands and the golden age of film. She followed her New York Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays with particular zeal-you dare not leave the room and disrupt her sports gods during a game! Her Dartmouth friends were a fundamental part of each day and incredibly important to her. Kay was involved in the community through her church, Stairs Memorial United, as a faithful IWK Children’s Hospital volunteer for over 40 years, and as a preschool teacher’s assistant. She cared deeply and made you feel special when you were with her. Engaged and engaging, Mum was always the centre of just about everything that happened in our family. Kay was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her seven children, Bruce (Janet Kavanagh), Heather (Phil) Webster, Scott, Robin (Doug) Christie, Janet MacKenzie, Grant (Janet), and Leslie (Blaise) Baxter; her sister Helen (Bill) Tower; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; her nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Mum was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Guss, her brother and sister-in-law Frank and Eva (Connell) McLean and grandchild Andrew Webster. Our family wishes to thank Drs. Steele, Morrison and staff at the Cole Harbour Medical Centre for their long standing support and care for our mother. Arrangements have been made through A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home in Dartmouth. At her request, there will be no visitation or service. Interment will be in Seaview Cemetery, Pictou, at a later date. Memorial donations in Kay’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be viewed or sent to: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com.