Kay Rasmussen (Nee Kathleen Lillian MacDonald)

It is with a broken heart and loving appreciation for 63 years of married life that her husband Flemming H Rasmussen announces that Kay, age 87, passed away peacefully on New Year’s Day, 2022, at her home in Greenfield Park, QC surrounded by family, after a long decline from dementia, with complications from osteoporosis.

Kay was born in Magog, QC on August 5th, 1934, the fourth of ten children born to John Hugh MacDonald (nee Clifton Jubal Watling) originally of Black River Bridge, NB, and Evelyn Gladys MacDonald (nee Findlay), originally of Richmond, QC and latest of Lachute, QC.

Kay graduated from Asbestos-Danville-Shipton High School in 1953, and her interest in nursing took her to the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1957. Her classmate, Inge (Vibe) Rasmussen, brought her home for supper one evening where she met her husband-to-be and lifelong partner, Flemming. They were married on April 12, 1958 and settled in Greenfield Park.

Kay’s family, both her own five children and her large extended family, were her pride and joy. Her repertoire of more than 70 songs and her beautiful singing voice did marvels at keeping her children in good spirits on long car trips. She had a strong passion for her children, really all children, especially babies. Kay balanced her time between her nursing career, caring for her children, and her 60-year involvement in parish life at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She also was actively involved with her daughters’ Brownies and Girl Guides troops, and other community activities. Her love of cooking and entertainment meant that all of the family’s major milestones were well-celebrated with many extended family and friends. Kay routinely invited newcomers to the church and community to Sunday dinner with the family.

Together with Flemming, they split their family life between Greenfield Park / Saint-Lambert during the school year and winters, and the Chazy Lake / Dannemora, NY area over the summer months at their beloved camp. A defining moment in Kay’s adult life was bringing her father, who was so dear to her heart, back in touch with his family, the Watlings, of Black River Bridge, N.B. with whom he had become distanced. It meant everything to her as well as to her parents and siblings, and meant even more to the reunited family after his 41-year absence.

Kay's nursing career unfolded entirely in the Montreal area, first with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), followed by an 11-year pause to raise her young family, and then resuming her profession, the main part of which was spent with the Royal Victoria Hospital Palliative Care Service as a home-care nurse from 1974 until her retirement in 1997. She then worked briefly at the Fulford Residence and ended her career as a per diem RN for the renewed VON as Nova Palliative Homecare service. During some 18 years prior to Covid, she was hostess to the cancer support group led by Flemming at their home on a monthly basis.

Kay is survived by her husband of 63 years, Flemming H. Rasmussen, their five children: Karen (Wally) Haley of Waterford NY; Flemming G (Lidiya) Rasmussen of Halifax NS; Elinor (David) Caton of Saranac NY; Katherine (Tim) Williton of Perth ON, and Susan Rasmussen of Greenfield Park QC, as well as ‘surrogate’ son-in-law, Glenn Grow of Hemmingford QC; eleven grandchildren and one great grandson, Finn Patel, whom she so enjoyed meeting just a week before her death.

Kay was very close to her parents, sisters and brothers and their spouses her whole life, and loved to visit with them all as often as she could. She is survived by two of her beloved brothers, Merton (Phyllis) MacDonald of Brownsburg, QC and Raymond MacDonald of Ottawa, ON, and was predeceased by her two sisters and their husbands, Barbara (Douglas) Livingstone and Isabel (Charles) Mosher, and 5 brothers Donald (Emily – also deceased), James (Shirley), John, George (Madeleine) and Alfred (Brenda) MacDonald, all of the Lachute/Brownsburg area. Kay leaves behind cherished sisters- and brothers-in-law: John and Mary Rasmussen of North Hatley QC, Inge and Harry Vibe of Renfrew ON, and David and Beryl Rasmussen of Barrie ON; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family is grateful to have been able to provide for Kay's care at home this past year, led by her husband Flemming, who managed the daily routine, meals and medications; daughter Susan, who provided care coordination and housekeeping management; granddaughter Cynthia, her personal caregiver and “girlfriend”; and daughter Elinor who spent months with Kay and Flemming as Kay’s live-in caregiver; along with invaluable input from her other children from afar, as dictated mainly by Covid travel restrictions.

The family would like to thank the entire CLSC Palliative Care Service team who gave wonderful guidance and helped them to make Kay very comfortable during her last week, as well as the staff and volunteers at the Seniors Respite Montérégie in Greenfield Park where Kay got so much enjoyment during the last few months of her life. A special thank you to Rue Greenfield neighbors who provided helpful daily kindnesses. A celebration of Kay's life and Memorial Service is planned for later in the year when Covid restrictions are eased enough to include everyone who may want to attend.

If you are so inclined, donations to the Seniors Respite Montérégie, https://seniorsrespitemonteregie.ca; the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/; or the IOF, the international Osteoporosis Foundation, www.osteoporosis.foundation, in Kay's memory would be welcomed and appreciated.