Kathleen "Kay" Shirley Zinck

Kay was born in Truro, the fourth child (and baby of the family) to the late Russel and Helen Smith (MacDonald). She worked for many years as a physiotherapist, mostly in private practice, and was an accomplished curler, winning nine provincial and two Canadian championships.

But her greatest joy and her true calling was being mom to her three children: Kristin Zinck and Alex Zinck, both of Halifax, and Darcy Koke (Evan) of Millcove, P.E.I. and Nana to granddaughter Maeve Koke. She is also survived by her husband of 34 years, Steve, as well sisters Suzanne Thomas (Bob), Naples, Fla., Shari Glinz, Bible Hill; and brother Herb (Kathy Ellert), Cochrane, Alta., and six nieces and nephews.

As a child Kay was an avid reader, often hiding under the blankets in her bed with a flashlight to finish another chapter or two long after she was supposed to be asleep. Not surprisingly her first job was at a bookstore.

She graduated from Cobequid Education Centre and then Dalhousie University with a degree in physiotherapy. She participated in many sports, including softball and track and field but perhaps because their yard backed on the Truro Curling Club, curling became her focus by the time she reached high school. In 1978 she skipped her team to a Nova Scotia Junior Women’s championship. Two years later she won a second provincial junior women’s title and followed up by winning the 1980 Canadian title. Unfortunately for the Truro rink, there was no World junior women’s championship at the time and she would have to wait to wear the Maple Leaf.

In 1982 while a physiotherapy student at Dalhousie, Kay made her way into the women’s ranks, signing on to play third for skip Colleen Jones, on a team that also included Colleen’s sisters Monica and Barb. The team would claim the provincial title and then captured the first-ever Scott Tournament of Hearts in Regina. As Canadian champions, they went on to play at the world championships in Switzerland.

Kay would go on to win three more provincial women’s titles with Colleen Jones (1993, ’94 and ’96) and two others as a skip in 2000 and 2005. She also played third on the team that represented Nova Scotia at the 1991 Canadian Mixed championship.

Despite her curling success and her work as a physiotherapist, she never let either get in the way of family time. Her focus was always her three children, from the shuttling them to their daily activities, organizing play dates and helping them with homework to pre-Halloween pumpkin carving and the gingerbread house building before Christmas. And then there was her famous toffee that became a favourite of her children and their school friends and their parents and teachers.

In keeping with Kay’s wishes, no funeral will be held. A visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 in J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. in Halifax. No flowers by request of family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the Zinck family.