Kathleen Scammell

SCAMMELL, Kathleen Born - November 26, 1921 On October 17, 2010, Kathleen Scammell (nee Pash) passed away peacefully at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre in Ottawa. She leaves behind her husband Fred, sons Terrence (Sheila Singhal), Ron (Anne Gillies), daughter Janice, grandchildren Chey, Cal, Evan and Mariel and great grandchildren Riley and Devin. At the Perley, Kay was a familiar figure in the hallways, concert hall, cafeteria, and outdoor pathways in the summer. Kay loved her afternoon tea and snack, often accompanied by Fred, and one of her longtime caregivers Ashley Yusuf, Eileen Whiteley, or Margo Brown. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kay worked for Trans Canada Airlines after graduating from Kelvin High School. In 1946 she married Fred after his return from serving with the Canadian Army in England and Holland during World War II. In the early fifties Kay moved to Montreal with Fred, who continued his military career in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. In 1961 Kay moved again with her family to Ottawa, ultimately settling in the Alta Vista area where they would make their home for more than 40 years. In Ottawa, Kay worked at Revenue Canada, and pursued her lifelong passion for music, singing for over 30 years in the Ottawa Choral Society and with her church choir. With the Choral Society she performed frequently at venues both small and large, including annual concerts at the National Arts Centre. She also sang with the Choral Society on trips to Italy and Spain. After moving to the Perley with Fred in 2005, music continued to be part of Kay's life, whether participating in group sing alongs, playing the piano occasionally to the delight of onlookers, attending concerts of any description or tapping her feet to the sounds of Glen Miller in her room. The family would like to extend its thanks to her private caregivers and to the Perley Rideau, particularly the dedicated staff on Gatineau 1 South who provided Kay with kind and professional care. A celebration of Kathleen's life will take place on Wednesday, October 20, with visitation and service from 9 am to 10 am in the Chapel at the Perley and Rideau Veteran's Health Centre. A reception will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa from 12 pm to 2 pm following burial. Donations in memory of Kay, if desired, may be made to the Ottawa Choral Society's Choral Scholarships Fund or the Perley Rideau Foundation.