Obituary of Katherine Zaozirny

Katherine (Kay) Zaozirny, beloved wife and partner in life of John Zaozirny for over 66 years, passed away peacefully in Calgary on March 14, 2006. She died as she lived-with grace and dignity. Kay was born in Bellis, Alberta, where her father owned the general store. She later carried on that family business tradition with husband John in the hotel and wholesale businesses where she played an active role. She was the eldest of ten children and spent many childhood hours rocking her brothers and sisters in a wooden rocking chair that eventually wore out. She loved school and attended Camrose Normal School for teacher training, and, after graduation, taught in one and two room schools in northern Alberta. Kay loved to teach. In 1939, at Mundare, she married John Zaozirny, then a two room school principal. In 1947, they took over the East Coulee Hotel in the Drumheller Valley and began the small business adventure that would eventually bring them to Calgary. In later life Kay most enjoyed working in her home, focussing on her family, and caring for her garden. She lovingly planted and tended her garden in her last summer on earth. She also delighted in her friends and neighbours on Imperial Way, her visits to Lunch Box Theatre, and her investment club. She loved the English language and always had the perfect original turn of phrase for the occasion. She believed in being the best you can be and lived her life accordingly. Kay will be remembered for her elegance, grace and dignity. She was a classy lady and a beautiful woman who exemplified her own preferred taste for “quiet elegance”. Her greatest love was her family, her greatest lesson to her loved ones was the extraordinary courage and good humour with which she battled her illness, and her greatest legacy is her lifelong example of love without measure for her family. She will be forever lovingly remembered by her devoted husband John; her children Judy and John (Lori); her grandsons John, Stephen and Andrew and their mother Elizabeth; her brothers and sisters Steve, Lil, Mae, Ted, Lawrence and Nelson; and her many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her father George, her mother Dora, and her brothers George, Alex and Bill. Funeral Services will be held at Living Spirit United Church, 900 47 Avenue S.W., Calgary, on Saturday, March 25, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the Calgary Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre or to the AgapÚ Hospice. Condolences may also be forwarded to www.mcinnisandholloway.com.