Kathleen Rosemary Garrity

The family of Kathleen Rosemary Garrity is heartbroken to announce her death on January 22, 2019 at Providence Healthcare in Toronto, Ont., after a brief illness. She is now united in heaven forever with James, her beloved husband of 62 years who passed away December 2017. Kathleen was born in Paisley, Scotland on November 12, 1933, the second child of Josephine and George Thomson.

Loving mother of Denis (Ping), Jimmy (Sheila), Josie, Bernadette, Jackie, Mary Kate and Mary Clare.

Dear sister of Rosemary (the late Andy) Piacentini and Eleanor (the late Wilfried) Wolfle and the late Archie and Netta Thomson. Proud grandmother of 14. Great-grandmother of 2. Survived by many nieces and nephews in the U.K. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister and aunt.

A Funeral Mass will be held on January 26, 2019 at 9:30 am at St. Pascal Baylon Church, 92 Steeles Avenue West, Thornhill, On. Flowers gratefully declined. For donations please consider the Alzheimer’s Society or Providence Healthcare Palliative Care Unit.

Kathleen met her husband James while studying nursing at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland in 1953 . They married at St. Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley. In 1959, James joined the RCAF as a medical officer and they emigrated to Canada with three children. They were stationed in Comox, B.C. where two more children were born. In 1964, the family moved to Toronto to the air force base in Downsview. In 1967, the family moved to Willowdale where James established a successful family medical practice. James and Kathleen were devout Roman Catholics, and lived their faith. Kathleen was a loving, dedicated mother devoted to her family and social justice causes. This included the fostering of children in our home and being a strong supporter of the pro-life movement. The family was completed with the birth of two additional children in the seventies. In 1973, the family moved to County Galway, Ireland, for a new adventure for four years. Upon their return to Toronto in 1977, Kathleen became James’ medical secretary. She loved interacting with the patients on a personal and professional level. In 1994, James retired from his medical practice and they moved to a hobby farm in Markdale, Ontario where they enjoyed outdoor life and cared for their many animals including their horses Piper’s Brae and (Deal a Dream) Truman. In 2001, they moved to Victoria, B.C. for a milder climate and to enjoy the ocean and mountains. They loved walking by the water and on the Galloping Goose Trail with their beloved dog Rory. Kathleen had a strong sense of adventure which included camping across Canada with five children and two dogs in the ‘60’s, hiking around her one hundred acre farm and exploring nature. Kathleen had a flare for style, always beautifully dressed with her perfume and lipstick on. She loved listening to Leonard Cohen, Susan Boyle and Anne Murray. James passed away in December 2017 after which Kathleen returned to Toronto to be closer to family. The last year was spent at Revera Leaside Retirement Home where she enjoyed many happy hours with family. The last few months were spent at the Palliative Care Unit at Providence Healthcare where Kathleen was expertly and lovingly cared for by all staff. Kathleen passed away peacefully in the loving presence of her family.