Kathleen passed away peacefully on July 4, 2016 at the Priory after a long battle with cancer. She is predeceased by her father (Herb); mother (Dora); brother (Kenneth) and husband (Bob). Survived by her children: daughter MJ (Dale) Kennah; son Vincent Kennah; granddaughters Kaytlyn and Madisyn Powell; brothers Patrick (Monique) and family (New Brunswick), Danny (Melanie) and family.
Her nurturing and caring spirit will be remembered by her family and friends.
“She had a way walking into a room, knowing those who needed interaction and making long and lasting friendships with many.”
Kathleen (nee Kennah) was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick. She attended school there until she eventually moved to Calgary, Alberta where she went to school for social work. It was on a summer vacation to Victoria where she met her husband Robert (Bob) Baudains. She packed up her kids and moved to Vancouver where she and Bob eventually moved in together. There she found a job with the federal government utilizing her bilingual skills in the French section of Canada Pension Services.
Yearning for a slower pace, a transfer was put in so that she could move to Victoria. Kathleen was so proud to be a home owner. In the early years after purchasing a home, she could be found helping out Bob with various renovations and projects around the home.
Kathleen was also a proud maritimer. She loved lobster and going to New Brunswick to visit the cottage on Youghall beach. She also enjoyed listening to music and interacting with her dogs. She was also a loving and devoted grandmother and cherished her time with her grandkids. She was very social and had many dear and loyal friends that visited with her often.
Kathleen was very resilient and thought of herself as a fighter. Not only fighting through a terminal cancer prognosis but also fighting after a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, would leave her blind. She also met more friends through the CNIB and BC Cancer Agency. One could not help but want to be around Kathleen.
Her children would like to thank all the many friends and family that would visit with her at the Priory, especially Yvonne, Steve and Danny.
A final thought from her children,
“You will always be my mom and I will always be your daughter.”
“I’ll take away a strength and independence that I could only learn from my mother.”
Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at McCall’s Downtown, Victoria.
Donations in her memory may be made to either the BC Cancer Agency, Victoria Hospice or to the CNIB.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Lynne Stewart
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Ken & Donna Please except our condolences on Kathleen’s passing.
Bob & Kathleen were our next door neighbours and were always happy to help out and oblige whenever needed. They are both thought of often.
We are hoping to try and attend her service if possible.
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Geri Simpson Kathleen and I both transferred to Victoria CPP office within one week in August 1992. We became coffee buddies for years. She loved Joese and Vincent and talked about them as they were growing up. She also loved her grandchildren. Kathleen was there for me when my son died, she loved Mathew as much as me. Before she got sick she would come to town and take my other son Lowell to the BC Museum or to a movie. That was the kind of person she was. When her eyes started failing she turned to me knowing I was legally blind and that I had the adaptive equipment she would need at work. We would laugh about all our dust and cobwebs in our homes. I moved back to the mainland four years ago so we only talked on the phone for the last two years. I will miss you dearly. You were truly extraordinary in your fight over the last ten or so years.
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Chantal Gagne To MJ and Vincent, and to all of Kathleen’s brothers and their wives, and to Kaytlyn and Madisyn~
For many years, I worked with Kathleen at the pension office in Victoria. What a wonderful sense of humor she had, always the funniest New Brunswick jokes in franglais which is best spoken by New Brunswiquers. What an endearing friend and with an upbeat spirit even when I saw her last on June 19th. There is some good and bad about not knowing when our last day will be. How can we be ready?
She was a very loving and lovable girl and she was so proud of MJ and Vincent, your achievements and so proud of Kaytlyn and Madisyn.
You all bloomed in her garden and she loved nurturing you for as long as she could.
Wishing you all that is most dear in your hearts, sincerely Chantal
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Norm & Lucy Macleod To Vince & family
Our thoughts are with you all.
It’s comforting to know the Bob & Kathleen are together again.
Norm & Lucy
To all of Kathleen’s family, especially MJ and Vincent, Kaytlyn and Madison,
I feel like I know all of you so well because Kathleen spoke of you so often. It was obvious that family was very important to her.
Kathleen and I worked together in Victoria. She was extremely dedicated to providing a high level of care and understanding to every pension client that had the good fortune of contacting her for assistance. Kathleen continued to show concern for those around her even as her own health failed. She loved a good visit to catch up on old coworkers activities. She loved to tell stories of growing up in New Brunswick…and she loved lobster!
You were lucky to have Kathleen as your Mom/ Grandma/ Sister/ Auntie and I was fortunate to have her as my friend.
May you find peace in all the wonderful memories she created for you.