Obituary of Kathleen Marion Dryden

DRYDEN: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Kathleen Marion Dryden at the age of 88. Kathleen passed away peacefully at Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Kathleen was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Richard Douglas Dryden, her parents Hugh and Eleanor Connolly, sisters Florence Adams and Eileen Moore, brother Tom Connolly, and also by her brothers-in-law Ray Adams, Bill Moore, Ken McLeod, Peter Curd, Ed Teillet, and by her sister-in-law Donna (Dryden) Teillet. Left to mourn her passing are her four children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, as well as two sisters-in-law, Joan McLeod and Wilma Curd. Kathleen was born June 10, 1925 in Elkhorn, Manitoba, the second child of Hugh Connolly and Eleanor (Hamlen) Connolly. Hugh was a school inspector and, during his career, the family lived in several communities before moving to Winnipeg. Eleanor was a music teacher who taught her four children to play the piano and appreciate the beauty of music. The family spent many happy summers at their cottage in Riding Mountain National Park, a haven from the workaday world that has remained a family treasure for the third and fourth generations. Kathleen graduated from Kelvin High School at the age of 16 and then attended the University of Manitoba, completing an Arts degree in 1945. Her dream was to be a Kindergarten teacher, but her father felt she should teach high school since she had a university degree. A compromise was reached and she went to Robinson, Illinois to live with her Uncle Joe Connolly, and taught a junior high school class. Returning to Manitoba, she met Richard (Dick) Dryden, the older brother of her good friend Joan. Young People's Group at Westminster United Church provided lots of opportunities to get to know each other. They discovered that they both loved to dance, a pastime they enjoyed regularly over the years until arthritis made it too difficult for Kathleen. Kathleen and Dick were married at Westminster Church on July 15, 1949. Kathleen helped Dick operate the Dryden family farm near Domain until 1956. During these years, they had three children and Dick completed his university studies, earning a Master of Science in Agriculture. Dick took a position with Agriculture Canada and the family moved to Brandon. They bought a newly constructed home on First Street and resided there for almost 50 years. Their fourth child was born shortly after they moved into the house. As well as her busy life taking care of their four children, Kathleen was active as a founding member of Trinity United Church and helped plan its construction on Richmond Avenue. She was a life member of the Trinity United Church Women. She taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir and led the church's Explorers group for young girls. Kathleen further served her church by working as the church secretary for several years. Kathleen was an active member of the Queen Mary Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, receiving her 50-year membership pin. She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion. She also enjoyed working as a volunteer and committee member of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, located at the Brandon Airport. Kathleen and Dick sold their family home and moved to Lions Manor in 2006. Kathleen's health forced her to relocate to Fairview and then to Rideau Park personal care homes in 2009. Dick visited her there faithfully every day until his passing in December 2010. The family would like to thank the staff of Rideau Park Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of our Mom for the five years she made Rideau her home. Kathleen's loss is deeply mourned by daughter Linda and her husband Al Friesen of Brandon, Tim Friesen and partner Itzel Lucio, Kathleen Friesen, Andrew Friesen and partner Tyler Blashko; daughter Brenda and her husband Howard Griffith of Winnipeg, Natalie (Griffith) and husband Maurice Hashie, and Andrew Hashie, and Brian Griffith; son John and his wife Betty of Brandon, Michael and wife Michelle, and Jennifer (Dryden) and her husband Todd Routtu; and son Ken and his wife Vera of Salmon Arm, BC, and Aaron Dryden, Joel Dryden and David Dryden. Sisters-in-law Joan McLeod and Wilma Curd also mourn her passing. Aunty Kathleen is also mourned by her nieces and nephews in the Connolly and Dryden families. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Church, 1515-6th Street, Brandon, on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Wayne Sanderson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Church, 1515-6th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6B3 or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 4B-457-9th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 1K2.