Kathleen Taylor Wernick

She is survived and deeply missed by children Michael (Wiebke Merck), Paul (Christine Rocheleau) and Rachel (Langis Lagacé); grandchildren Paul, Hana, Katie, Nathaniel, Clara (Vincent) and Miriam (Frank); and recently arrived great-grandaughter Léanne.

Kathleen was born and raised in Burnley, England, a cotton mill town, and was fiercely proud of her working class Lancashire roots. Daughter of Clifford and Eileen Taylor, and older sister to Bernard Taylor, she was educated at convent schools and the first in her family to go to university, after earning a prized State Scholarship. At Manchester University she graduated with a degree in English Literature and met Morris, her husband of fifty six years. In 1956 they married and emigrated to Canada, where they lived in Montreal, Sault. Ste. Marie, Burlington and most recently Aylmer, Quebec. Kathleen was known for her cooking and baking skills and family and friends were welcomed to a warm home for lively, humour filled discussions over countless delicious meals (and cups of tea). Kathleen’s passion for books is carried on by the many avid readers in the family, as is her love of gardening and flowers. Kathleen cared deeply about literature, music, film and theatre and was a great believer in the importance of the arts in understanding and changing the world. She was a successful freelance journalist from her first days in Montreal, active in community theatre in the «Soo », and a respected arts critic for the Hamilton Spectator. Kathleen was a proud feminist and had a keen interest in politics and social justice. The Bard of Avon was a lifelong source of joy and inspiration, and she had a Shakespearean quotation to fit any situation.

The family thanks Dr. Nargis Laafou for her care and support and the Maison Mathieu Froment Savoie hospice for keeping Kathleen safe and comfortable in her final weeks.

A private service will be held.

Donations in lieu of flowers are encouraged to the Fondation Mathieu Froment Savoie or the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Endowment Foundation.