Obituary of Kaye Irene Detomasi (nee Lindquist)

December 8, 1940 - April 4, 2023 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kaye Irene Detomasi (nee Lindquist) on Tuesday, April 4 at the age of 82 years, who passed peacefully in her sleep.

Kaye was born on December 8, 1940, the daughter of Al and Irene Lindquist. She spent her childhood in Blackfoot, Idaho, and is predeceased by her siblings Dona and Gary Lindquist. She spent much of her early years outdoors and would inherit the Idaho spirit that she carried for the rest of her life: Kaye was fun (“spirited” is a common descriptor), tough, independent, and full of good humor and life.

Upon graduating from high school, she moved to Utah to begin her University education. There she would by chance take an economics class taught by a dashing young professor named Don Detomasi. They would eventually marry and would be each other’s life companions for over 50 years.

Together the two of them migrated to a new university located in Calgary, Alberta for a two-year teaching position. They ended up building their lives in Southern Alberta where they had two children, Don Gary Detomasi and David Antony Detomasi. Kaye tended to her boys in their early childhood and re-entered the workforce when they got older. She and Don were as supportive a parent as there was, driving their kids to hockey arenas all around Southern Alberta   While doing this she managed to obtain her teaching certificate and taught elementary school for over 15 years. She had an impact on and was loved by her hundreds of students: who even when grown adults could easily remember who she was and what she taught, most particularly her hatred for the word “hate”.

After retiring from teaching Kaye took up a second career as an entrepreneur. Kaye loved birds and birdwatching and eventually opened up “Birds in Your Garden”, a store that became a destination of choice for Calgary’s growing birdwatching community. She and Don organized birdwatching outings for that growing community, who enjoyed the end-of-day meals celebrations.

Kaye loved company, preferably over an extended multi-course meal with plenty of wine. Kaye and Don’s Christmas parties became legendary to their family and friends, which would always end with Carols at the piano, with Kaye playing. They would follow that celebration with a ritual watching of New Year’s college football bowl games with their dear friends Dale and Betty Taylor.

Kaye also loved to travel, often to see family. She enjoyed spending time with her sister Dona and her husband Kent, along with their children Ashley and Ryan. They would also travel to see Don’s sister Sandra, along with her husband John and their children Mathew, Andy, and Emily. After retirement she and Don also travelled every winter to California, escaping the Calgary winter enjoying the region’s golf.  

Perhaps her greatest joy was spending time with her extended family and grandchildren. She was a doting grandmother to Sam (son of Don and his spouse MaryWyatt) and to Curtis, Emma, and Jack (children of David and his spouse Sarah).  

In her last years Kaye’s health deteriorated rapidly, particularly after the passing of her beloved husband Don. However, her spirit remained strong and intact: it will be remembered by all who knew her. Her family would like to acknowledge the care provided by Staywell Manor and Chartwell Royal Park Residences, her residences in her final years. 

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers it is requested that memorial tributes may be made directly to the Cochrane Humane Society, 62 Griffin Industrial Point, Cochrane, AB, T4C 0A3, Telephone: (403) 932-2072, www.cochranehumane.ca  

In living memory of Kaye Detomasi, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.