Kathleen Dorothy McMillan

McMILLAN _ Kathleen Dorothy, age 85, passed away peacefully in Vancouver on March 24th, 2005 after a recent illness. Kay was born Dorothy Ewdukia Melnichuk in Narol Manitoba, the 4th child of 9 children to George Melnichuk and Vasilina (Wilma) Maksymchuk Sloan of Farner and Gabun Austria, respectively. She was predeceased by her husband Earl Kitchener in 1992, her son John in 1969, her daughter-in-law Marty in 1989, and her granddaughter, Lorelei in 1993. Kay and Earl were married in 1937 in Winnipeg. During World War II, Earl was a sergeant in the Air Force in WWII and Kay was a nurse in the Red Cross. After the war, Earl joined CPR, "Special Investigations" which moved the family back and forth between Winnipeg and the West Coast (living in both Victoria and Vancouver) several times. During this period, Kay focused on raising their young family and supporting Earl's career efforts. Kay held various positions during her working life including apartment complex management, an Avon lady, and her most rewarding project was working along side her husband and children in a family owned and operated business for years in Kelowna. Upon her retirement in 1982, Kay suffered a massive stroke and was told she had several days, maybe weeks, to live as a result of her illness. As she approached all of her activities in her life, she was determined to prove the doctors wrong, and lived in Vancouver for another 23 years devoting most of her time to family endeavours and particular focus on her grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Joan (Don) Mattrick, 2 sons Ronald and Bruce (Milena), and 9 grandchildren, Shawn, Donald, Justin, William, James, Sarah, Alexander, Jessica, and Matthew, 3 great-grandchildren, Brooke, Aidan and Tatiana, a sister Lena Phelps of Los Angeles, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Known to many as "Mrs", she will be lovingly remembered, and never forgotten. A private family service was held on Friday April 1st, 2005 at Forest Lawn Chapel, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue where she was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park between her son John and her husband Earl. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.C. Heart Foundation.