Kathleen Ann (Stokes) Young

With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Kathleen Ann Young, born on September 6th, 1939 in Vancouver BC and passed away peacefully at home on September 29th, 2024.

She is predeceased by her partner of the last 30 years, Bill Shaw, her parents Norman and Vera Stokes (Westover) and her brothers Terry and Steven. Kathleen is survived by her children: Son James Young and partner Kim; Daughter Sheryl Koers, son in law Martin and their children, Jordan (Samantha) and Brent. She is also survived by her three sisters: Pat Tabata, Sylvia Wilkins, and Diane Von Schleinitz and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was the oldest of six children. She went to school in Cobble Hill and graduated from Cowichan Secondary in 1958. In her younger years she helped out her Dad at a garage in Cobble Hill that they owned and later worked for Eaton’s in the accounting department. She loved her work and the people at Eaton’s. Once children came along she began working from home doing books for various companies as well as sewing curtains for the McQuays.

She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed working with her hands. For years she would win awards for her crochet doilies at the Cowichan Exhibition. She loved to knit, crochet, cross-stitch and in her later years her favourite hobby was quilting. She went quilting every Wednesday with her quilting group in Mill Bay. We are all proud recipients of one (or two) of her many quilts and wall hangings.

Mom was also an avid gardener. Every home she lived in, she made sure to build a vegetable garden where she could toil. We used to tease her, that each of her carrots were worth $17 after you added in all the costs to get the garden to her satisfaction. At harvest time we were often be reminded where each of the food items we were eating came from. “this came from my garden, and this came from my garden. . . etc.”

Mom will be remembered by family and friends as a quiet, warm and gentle person. She cared deeply for her family and friends and even more for her children and grandchildren. She loved her hugs and they always made her smile and feel loved. (She almost always performed a little happy dance after each hug was reluctantly let go!)

Following Kathleen’s wishes no formal service will be held. The family will hold a private gathering at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in mom’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.

We truly can’t believe you are gone. You will be remembered and loved. Rest in peace.