Obituary of Katherine Marie “Kathy” MCALEESE (nee Zorn)

October 1, 1951 - Yorkton, Saskatchewan
November 24, 2019 - Calgary, Alberta

Kathy McAleese, beloved wife of Peter, and mother of Valerie and Jamie (James) passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019 at the age of 68 years, after several years coping with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Katherine was born on October 1, 1951 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and lived in the small town of MacNutt, Saskatchewan, for all of her childhood. She graduated from MacNutt High School before moving to Calgary, Alberta, in 1969. In Calgary, she attended Hollingshead Business College and later found employment at Shell Canada as a Geological Technician, advancing in her career throughout the next ten years. She left Shell in 1981 to raise her greatest joys in life, her children Valerie and Jamie, and to create a nurturing home for them and her loving husband Peter. Kathy was a natural storyteller, often recounting the antics of her youth in her home town of MacNutt, along with her early adventures upon moving to Calgary. Skating, cycling, and curling were a few of the ways that she passed the time growing up in small-town Saskatchewan. She was a voracious reader, a free thinker, an armchair philosopher, and a family photographer. Her handwriting was beautiful, and she enjoyed writing letters to her friends and family, she even learned calligraphy. In her forties, she became involved with several self-help groups in the Calgary area and committed a substantial part of her free time to serve others. Kathy was especially proud of her children, having successfully raised two capable and thoughtful young people with open and loving hearts. She was fiercely loyal to her immediate family and her close friends, some of whom she kept in contact with for more than forty-five years.

Besides her loving husband, Peter, Kathy is survived by her daughter Valerie, son Jamie; brothers Pat “Joseph” Zorn and Hal Zorn (Gail); and sister Sue Simes (nee Zorn). She is remembered by her cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as her very dear friends Judy Poppenheim, Mary Wurz and Carol Frederickson.

She was predeceased by her mother Agatha (nee Cashin) and father Valentine Zorn.

A private viewing will be held for immediate family prior to cremation at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Deerfoot South, 1221-40th Street SE, Calgary, AB). A memorial service for friends and family will be planned for sometime in the more distant future at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY, and will be followed by the spreading of Kathy's remains according to her wishes.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Katherine’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

A tree will be planted in living memory of Kathy McAleese. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th STREET SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.