Kathryn Victoria Peet (Shirn)

Kathryn, Aunt Kassie, Mommy, Kay, AK, Kat, as she was known, went home to God the morning of January 9, 2017 following a brief stay at Royal Jubilee Hospital. She braved many health conditions over recent years and always rallied.  But now, she is on her “cloud” which she referred to often as her final resting place. She is watching over us and making sure we are not playing in the traffic. She was born August 22, 1928 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Her parents, the late Aaron Shirn (Sherbatjian) and Victoria Shirn (nee Garagosian) were survivors of the Armenian genocide.

She is also predeceased by her brilliant brothers, George Shirn (UG) and John Shirn (UJ), and sister-in-law, Carolyn Shirn.

Kathryn graduated from Williamsport High School in 1946. She graduated from the State University of New York at Albany, and taught high school English in Hoosick Falls, NY in the early 1950s. She then attended Columbia University where she received a Masters Degree in Speech and Drama.  While in New York, she met her future husband, Dr. Thomas Peet of Tayport, Scotland, and moved to Victoria in 1961 to be married.

Kay had a long career at the University of Victoria teaching Theatre 150 to education students.  She was a beloved and admired speech and drama coach, speech communication specialist and gifted educator. She helped budding teachers and professionals learn the fine art of articulation and to overcome their fear of public speaking. She taught effective listening skills, organizational behaviour, and used her training in drama to help students find their voice. Her students were grateful for her gentle, caring and humorous approach. She developed and wrote courses and workshops that she taught and presented throughout Canada and the UK, training people to listen, negotiate, and communicate effectively.  She also received her Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in London, England, and taught English as a foreign language to many foreign students here and abroad. She gained many life long friends from overseas who delighted in her approach to life and teaching.

Kay traveled to Scotland and New England regularly where she visited many dear friends and family. She was a member of The Society for Teachers of Speech and Drama and enjoyed attending STSD meetings in the UK. She belonged to the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Mystery Book Club, (her pick, preferably an Agatha Christie) and the Philosophy Club, to name a few.

She was also a golfer and long time member of the Victoria Golf Club and could out-putt anyone on the putting green with multiple holes-in-one without even trying! She was a member of the Newberry United Methodist Church in Williamsport, PA and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Victoria BC.

Kay had a love of poetry, writing and wordplay. Her world was filled with books, notes, jotted down thoughts, beginnings of novels, articles, and the beloved funnies. She always sent postcard greetings from afar to friends and family. She also believed strongly that door-to-door delivered mail was crucial to communication.  She loved a good hymn, singing songs to us loudly and cheerfully and delighted in going to musicals back east with her family as well as plays in the UK.  She kept decades of journals and diaries and was going to write that book, which has become our task!  Mom also loved to use many inventive catch phrases and sayings.  Those who know her well will remember OYK, KFC, and, if anyone is a PITA, well, everyone knows that one!

In addition to her husband of 55 years, Kathryn leaves her daughter, Karen (her Boo), and her husband, Ray Hawksworth of Victoria. Aunt Kassie/Kat also leaves her sister-in-law, Lula Belle Shirn of Danvers, MA, niece, C. Victoria Harvey and her husband, George (GG), of Essex, MA, niece, Martha Barrett-Smith of Pelham, NH, grand nephews, Aaron Harvey and John Barrett, grand nieces, Mary Barrett and Katelee Barrett-Mueller and her husband, Andre, and great grand nephew, Louca George Mueller.

There will be a private family service at a later date.

Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the BCSPCA.

Please remember mom with a cup of tea and a cookie of any sort, though peanut butter was her favourite. She loved being around people, good conversation and lots of hugs. And, never play in the traffic!

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

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