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February 24, 1959 - March 14, 2022
In loving memory ~
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Kathryn Michelle Tremblay on March 14th, 2022, with her loved ones by her side. Kathryn was a tea enthusiast, #1 mom, F-bomb dropper, baker of delicious treats, lover of dogs, and literal superwoman. She was challenged by hats, particular about dishwasher organization, and authoritatively critical of singing auditions on television. She was also an avid reader of obituaries, which makes us all feel a lot of pressure to deliver a good one.
Born February 24th, 1959 to Roger and Barbara Tremblay in Kapuskasing, Ontario, she is the eldest of four siblings. After spending a few years in Sudbury, the Tremblay clan relocated across the country to Whistler, British Columbia by train, where they lived in a small one-room cabin on Alta Lake. Rustic accommodation would be a generous term, but the family spent five years there, which for Kath was a magical place of adventures on the lake and the ski hill. Kathryn had a great love and admiration for her Grandpa Thomas, who lived with them until the family journeyed north to Stewart, BC. She has many fond memories of life in Stewart and the friends she made there. The family eventually settled in Nelson, BC, where Kath graduated from L.V. Rogers in 1977.
After completing her education to become a Chemical Laboratory Technologist in 1982, Kathryn started her career in the Elk Valley at Line Creek mine. She always wanted to be a mom, and she happily welcomed three daughters while in Elkford who were her pride and joy. She raised her three kids, supported them in all their endeavours, drove them to all their activities, and worked a full time job. She taught herself how to fix a sink, build furniture, and do home renovations. She taught the girls how to read, cook, drive, be responsible with money, and be good people who swear a lot. She was never afraid to get her hands dirty, work hard, or learn something new. She had a lifelong curiosity into the lives of others, how things work, and the world around her that inspired her children towards education and travel.
She moved to Warfield, BC in 2006 where she worked at Teck Cominco, bought a house, and met the love of her life, Mario Lioce. These two peas in a pod created a wonderful home together, where we shared many holidays, amazing dinners, and game nights she reluctantly participated in. She loved a road trip and any adventure with Mario and the kids, especially our family trip to Hawaii. She also loved the trip she and Mario made to Italy, where she enjoyed the sights, the food, and meeting Mario's family, but did not enjoy being driven around by Mario along narrow Italian streets.
Kathryn enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: a good book, a cup (or two) of tea in the morning (re-warmed several times in the microwave), solving a "soduko" puzzle (she never quite figured out how to pronounce it), a hike in the mountains with dogs on a sunny day, tending to her garden or landscaping in the yard (ruthlessly removing offending plants or weeds with a steak knife), true crime shows, and a glass of wine in the evening while trying to answer as many Jeopardy questions as possible. She always had a project on the go. She was a founding member and contributor to 50 issues of the Teck Cominco newsletter called "After Ours." She was a proud member of the Kootenay Robusters dragon boat team for 12 years, enjoying the carpool to practices, fundraising, and competing in races. In the last years of her life, she and Mario fostered many dogs through the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program (KAAP).
She lived with cancer for many years and always took it in stride. She beat the odds in so many ways, maybe because she remained optimistic, determined to do what she loved, and was an advocate for her own health. She tried to live by the immortal words tattooed on her forearm, "Worrying about the future spoils your today."
She loved life, was ever supportive and encouraging of others, and was a strong role model for all who knew her. Kathryn is survived by her loving husband Mario, her daughters Karly (Phil) and Alix, step-sons Jesse (Sam and granddaughter Emilia) and Michel (Renee and Tucker), her siblings Trish, Diane (RJ), David (Rebecca), and her father Roger. She deeply missed her mother Barbara and her youngest daughter Jillian. She had countless friends from many different parts of her life, particularly lifelong friends from Stewart, her early years in Elkford and Warfield, and her dragon boat team.
We ask that instead of sending flowers, donations be sent to one of the many organizations close to Kath's heart - KAAP, the SPCA, Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, or any program that supports after school and reading programs for children and accessibility to outdoor activities. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Lori and Beth with the Medical Assistance In Dying program, who helped us through her final moments, and to Dr. Fisher, Dr. Baxter, and Dr. Ellard for all of their support and guidance.
She is so loved and will be missed endlessly.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca


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