Kathy "Kate" Ann Teague

On January 2, 2023, our family lost our beautiful Kathy (Kate) Teague. Kathy lit up every room with her smile. Her laughter was quick and contagious, and her hugs came easy. She was known for her passionate love of life, art, travel, teaching, and most importantly for her love and devotion to her family, especially her husband Tim, daughters Mackenzie, Molly and dog, Rocky.

As MS slowly stole her body Kathy risked everything to be part of a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) drug trial. She wanted to help others with MS and hoped it would help give her a few more years with her family. We are in awe of her heroic courage in trying to help move science forward in treating MS, which tragically ended her life much too early. Our family would like to thank all the staff at VGH for doing everything they could to save Kathy’s life.

Kathy was born in Trail, BC in 1971 to Judy and Wayne Teague and grew up with her close siblings Kevin and Leslie, surrounded by many dear friends in and around Fruitvale, BC. Her family enjoyed the outdoors and spent many holidays sailing on the Arrow Lakes. Kathy met and fell in love with her husband Tim in the summer of 1992, while they both worked at the Salmo pool. Tim and Kathy went off to University together before getting married in a beautiful ceremony on Burnaby Mountain. Kathy and Tim have two amazing daughters, Mackenzie and Mollyann. The family raised two dogs: firstly, Cocoa who passed away, and now Rocky. Throughout their time together Kathy, Tim and their girls loved camping and traveling, having many amazing adventures across Canada and the US, often inviting others to join them.

Kathy was passionate about art and education throughout her life. A gifted educator, Kathy loved working with children. Before becoming an elementary school teacher, she was a lifeguard and swim instructor. Kathy always fondly remembered her years teaching swimming and lifeguarding in the Kootenays. In her late teens and early twenties she worked at beaches in Kaslo and Camp Koolaree as well as Warfield,and Salmo Pools. Kathy got a diploma in Art and Design from Okanagan College before she became an Elementary school teacher, graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Education. Kathy taught Kindergarten to Grade 5 at several Surrey schools, but most of her years were spent at Newton and Adam’s Road Elementary Schools. Kathy was a dynamic and passionate teacher who always found creative ways to engage and connect with her students. Apart from her professional career in education Kathy continued her passion for art with her love of scrapbooking. She was published in several scrapbooking magazines, designed and sold scrapbooking artwork, and consulted on designs for Shutterfly. Her scrapbooks and photobooks are legendary.

With her friends and family (and sometimes at staff parties) Kathy loved playing games, and hamming it up with a glass of red wine or a cup of tea. Kathy had a special connection with her nieces and nephew s who she adored, giving out the best “aunty hugs’ any chance she could sneak in. She encouraged everyone to do the things you always wanted to do, travel, be passionate, tell your loved ones how important they are, and live your dreams. Kathy’s quirky humour, easy laugh, and caring, creative nature will be remembered by all who knew her.

Kathy leaves behind her girls, Molly and Mackenzie, her Rocky dog and husband Tim. She also leaves behind her parents Judy & Wayne, brother Kevin (Luda), sister Leslie (Trevor), along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and loved ones.

There will be a celebration of Kathy’s life on Saturday, February 18 at the Murrayville Hall in Langley, BC at 1:00pm.

For those that would like to make a contribution or in-lieu of flowers, firstly Kathy would want you to take your loved ones on a trip in her honour, whether it be to a local park or a trip around the world. If you are able to, contributions are appreciated towards Kathy’s memorial fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/kathy-teague-memorial or through a donation in Kathy’s name to the VGH Foundation: https://vghfoundation.ca/give.