Kay McCullough-Clarke

KAY McCULLOUGH-CLARKEKay McCullough-Clarke, renowned Thunder Bay artist and beloved mother, wife, grandmother, teacher, mentor, healer and friend, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2005. Kay lived life fully and joyfully to the very end surrounded by the love of family and dear friends until finally succumbing to melanoma cancer. She was 78 years young.A Thunder Bay native, she was born Kathleen Charlotte Macdonald to parents Murray and Gladys (Hasking) Macdonald, close sibling to brother Cameron Macdonald (Kelowna, B.C. ) and sister Margaret Seargeant (Thunder Bay); all predeceased.In 1950, Kay married noted vocalist, musician and music teacher, John McCullough and they had three children. After 25 years of marriage, John McCullough passed away in 1975 and their son Murray (also a revered musician) died in 1993. Kay married John Clarke, District Sales Manager for Imperial Tobacco and they had a wonderful life together living at Birch Beach on Lake Superior for more than 25 years.Kay is survived by daughters Barb McCullough Scales (Capt. Philip Scales of Lac Louisa, Quebec), Christie Grace Callister (Jack Callister of Bowen Island, B.C. ), granddaughters Sarah McCullough (Steve Pentick of Thunder Bay), Kirsten McCullough Simonsen (Toronto) and Ashley Kathleen Callister (Bowen Island, B.C. ); grandson Lucas McCullough (Thunder Bay) and great granddaughters Alexandra and Isobella Pentick (Thunder Bay). Also surviving are neice Melody Lundstrom (Rick Lundstrom of Thunder Bay) great-nephew William Lundstrom; nephews Doug Seargeant (Alberta), Colin Macdonald (Kelowna) and neices Laurie Macdonald, Merriel Thoms, Claire Klugg and their respective children all from British Columbia. Kay's extended family included her husband John Clarke's children, Kelly and Trevor Zahara and daughter Kaylah (Alberta); Sean and Martin Lechelt (Alberta); Julie Clarke and children Philip,Christopher and Lisa (British Columbia) and Noel Clarke(Alberta).For more than four decades, Kay's career as an artist and teacher was far-reaching, greatly respected and synonymous with excellence. She was an executive founder of Lakehead Visual Arts (LVA) and drew inspiration from other exceptional local artists such as friend, Susan Ross. In 1963 she started teaching at Hillcrest High School, eventually becoming head of the art department where she inspired students for more than 25 years. She helped organize numerous art exhibitions privately and for the LVA and helped to establish a visiting artists program to benefit local artists. One of the visitors included A.Y. Jackson of the Group of Seven who became a close friend.In the late 60's and 70's, Kay was producing 100 paintings a year showing her work in galleries in Toronto and Winnipeg. One of her shows was produced by noted art promoter, Jackson Pollock. More than 3,000 pieces of Kay's work are now hanging in private and corporate collections across Canada. Kay's paintings were predominantly Northern Ontario landscapes inspired by the natural beauty and ever-changing seasons surrounding her home at Birch Beach.In the 70's, Kay began a life-long spiritual journey and studied with philosophers, artists and theologians including Jean Houston and Joseph Campbell. Her passion for understanding a higher consciousness led her to produce a series of thirty paintings which she entitled the 'Rainbow Journey'. These 'soulscapes' as she called them, were painted in a mandalla format that honoured significant turning points and luminary experiences in her life. The centrepiece was the Rainbow Butterfly: The Colours of Your Mind. This model became the focal point of her life's teachings. It's evolution became the corner stone of Kay's unique perspective which she shared with thousands of people through her much sought after seminars and workshops.She was invited to present her model at the Creative Education Foundation in New York where she continued teaching innovative workshops annually for more than 15 years. Kay willed her 'Rainbow Butterfly' to spiritual philosopher Dr. Wayne Dyer, acclaimed international authour and lecturer.In 2003, Kay was honoured by the Lieutenant Governor of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson at a special dinner recognizing the contributions of N.W. Ontario's most prominent artists.Kay's final endeavour was the establishment of a successful summer art gallery at her new home on Downing Street displaying her original paintings and prints along with other selected artists.Kay was a life-long learner who sought deeper insights into creativity and followed each lead to their spiritual roots. Her huge capacity and vast reservoir for giving and loving produced her own special brand of magic that inspired and touched everyone she encountered. Kay's spirits were undauntable and her infectious laughter, magnanimous personality, positive outlook and extraordinary presence were just some of the attributes that encompassed this beautiful woman. She was truly loved by all and we will miss her always. Kay McCullough's memorial celebration of her life, will take place on Thursday June 2nd, 2005, at St. Paul's United Church at 7:30 pm, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations will gratefully be accepted for the Kay McCullough Student Artist Endowment administered by Lakehead University and the establishment of a permanent Kay McCullough Gallery to display her original work and those by student and visiting artists.Please make cheques available to: Lakehead University (please indicate Kay McCullough's name on the cheque) and mail to:Lakehead UniversityOffice of Development955 Oliver RoadThunder Bay, OntarioP7B 5E1Visa and Mastercard also accepted. Tax receipts will be issued for every donation.For more information, contact Laurie Hill at 807-343-8913."