Obituary of Kathleen Margaret Donnelly

KATHLEEN MARGARET DONNELLY

January 26, 1941 – June 14, 2018

A Celebration of Life will be held for Kathleen in the Wynford Room of the Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 175 Wynford Drive, Toronto on Saturday, June 29^th from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.  Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com

Kathleen (Kay) Donnelly, of Toronto, died at Baycrest Nursing Home, Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the age of 77.  Kay will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her adopted son William (Bill) McGinley, with his first wife (Thames McGinley), and their four beautiful children; Kaeleigh, Alleigh, Rowyn, and Ryleigh. The second youngest of seven children, Kay is survived by her brother Bill, sisters Dolores and Mary, and predeceased by her parents William and Anne Donnelly of Toronto, and brothers Michael, Peter and Robert.

A lifelong Torontonian, and long-time resident of North Toronto and Leaside, Kay graduated from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1962, and worked as a nurse at St Michael’s Hospital.  She later went on to work as a Public Health Nurse in the Catholic District School Board. 

When she caught a glimpse of the magic happening in the classroom, Kay quickly discovered what would be a lifelong calling and first enrolled at York University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then a Bachelors of Education at Teacher’s College from the University of Western Ontario.  Returning to Toronto from her studies in London, Kay took on her first Kindergarten classroom.  She was a Godmother to dozens over the years, and eventually she retired from the classroom in the 1990’s from St. Cyril Catholic School in Toronto.

Kay, at times affectionately called ‘Katie’ by her brothers, claimed to be the “fastest kid on the block.” A free spirit as a child, she set her own course in life with courage and fearlessness.  In 1980 ‘Auntie Kay’ opened up her home to three of her nephews at a difficult time in the boys’ lives. She was a wonderful support and comfort to them and taught them the value of hard work and perseverance.

In addition to teaching, Kay was a talented seamstress and a fantastic baker who loved to laugh and take care of her family, her students and her miniature Schnauzers Lady Bug and Cricket. 

In her later life, Kay was a fiercely proud, loving and often quirky Nana to her four granddaughters who are all equally fearless “Give ‘em hell” graduates of “Nana School” where they learned, among other things, to always stand up for themselves.

Whether she was taking the girls on car and train adventures to Niagara Falls, helping them choose patterns and fabrics for the dresses she sewed for them, or schooling them on kitchen classics such as lasagna, 5-cup salad, banana bread, and birthday cake, Kay never stopped teaching.  “Nana school” will live on in the memories of her grandchildren and their friends for years to come.

A celebration of life memorial service will be planned and announced at a later date, happening in the fall. The family is immensely grateful to all of the caregivers that worked with Kay over the years.  Special thanks to Gigi, Grace, Edith, Dhiane and Noel who added immeasurably to her quality of life at home and in long-term care.

Thanks as well must be extended to the many other caring hands at Baycrest Nursing Home who took care of Kay in her final years. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Kathleen Donnelly to Baycrest Nursing Home.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com or the family’s memorial facebook page at fb.me/KathleenDonnellyMemorialPage.