Kathleen DUNCAN

DUNCAN, Kathleen (Kay) Peacefully, at The Glebe Centre, on Monday, May 22nd, 2006, mother of Iain Duncan and Bruce Duncan, grandmother of Cavan Duncan, Aileen Duncan, Cameron Duncan and Meghan Demerchant. Much loved mother-in-law of Heather Duncan and Margaret Demerchant. Kay, whose own mother died of TB when Kay was three, was raised in London, England until the bombing of that city during World War II forced her evacuation along with thousands of other children to live in the countryside. These early hardships instilled her with a life long spirit of independence and determination. After the war, she returned to London and worked in a variety of jobs, including being an au pair in France, and an airline stewardess on flights to continental Europe. She travelled a lot at this time and enjoyed life in such places as Cannes and Le Mans. In the late fifties, Kay met a young Scottish research chemist named Peter Duncan in London and by 1961, they were married. Their first child, Iain, was born in England early the next year. The trio emigrated to Canada seeking improved employment and soon after a second boy was born in Sarnia, Ontario. Within two more years, the family had moved to Montreal where they remained for the next 13 years. For this time, life revolved around the kids, the Anglican Church and the St. Lambert Choral Society. After a move to Ottawa, Kay found ways to rebuild her life in a new community. She became a member of St. Mark's Anglican Church, an active participant in the Ottawa Newcomers Club, regularly participated in Keep-Fit classes, joined the Welsh Choral Society, learned to drive a car and went back to university, graduating with a French and Spanish degree from Carleton University in 1993. She then volunteered her time to teach English as a Second Language to fellow immigrants. She also volunteered at the Rideau-Perley hospitals, the Rideau Canoe Club and wrote for the Hogs Back News. She will be missed by her family but we are comforted in knowing that she rests now with the Lord. A special note of thanks to staff in Kentwood 1 at the Glebe Centre, and to longtime friend Gail Stone, for their help and support in caring for Kay. Friends may visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Mark's Anglican Church, 1606 Fisher Avenue, Ottawa on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson Society of Ottawa or The Glebe Centre would be appreciated. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 5/24/2006 - 5/25/2006