Obituary of Kathleen "Kae" Howe

KATHLEEN MARGARET 'KAE' HOWE Mom passed away quietly November 9th, 2011 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, almost six years to the day after she lost her beloved husband of 56 years, Bob. Mom was predeceased by her parents Walter and Kathleen Priestner and is survived by her daughter Aileen; son Warren (Jane); son Doug; grandchildren Amy, Andrew, Leah (Justin) and Ben Sorohan, Karen and Alex Howe; and her extended family of relatives. Mom was born on April 2nd, 1924 and she grew up on a small family farm just south- west of Riding Mountain National Park. An only child, young Kathy Priestner grew up in the midst of the Great Depression and her family's struggles during that time left an indelible mark. Mom learned the virtues of hard work, selflessness, thriftiness and common sense – and those lessons would stay with her for the rest of her life. In 1942, during the midst of the Second World War, Kae left home to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. She served her country for three years and remained a very proud veteran and a sympathetic supporter of Canada's troops throughout her life. Kae met Bob in Brandon shortly after the war and they were married in 1949. Two years later, the young couple moved their growing family to the gold mining community of Cochenour, Ontario where they would make their home for over 50 years. Kae was always a very forward thinker. She was a working Mom long before it was fashionable. Kae was a very active member of her community and she took a vested interest in her children's education. Over the years in Cochenour, she developed many lifelong friendships through her loyalty, her thoughtfulness and willingness to listen. In 2005, Bob's failing health precipitated a move back to Brandon, providing Kae with an opportunity to re-connect with friends and relatives she had not seen regularly for years. She forged new relationships during this time as well, particularly with her great-niece Maria and some of the other younger members of her extended family. Kae was always inquisitive and well read. Even in her 70's she was quick to embrace the new technology offered by computers – using email to stay in touch with family and friends and surfing the net for news and other pertinent information. She considered it her obligation as a Grandmother to quiz her grandchildren on all their latest goings on and she followed their lives with keen interest and compassion. Thank you Mom, for all the joy and happiness you have brought to so many people's lives. We will miss your love, your laughter, your counsel and your strength. The family would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Butler and his staff at the Brandon Clinic for their compassionate care during Kae's six years in Brandon. A reception for family and friends will be held at the George Brockie Fellowship Centre (south side of Brockie Donovan Funeral Home), 332-8th Street, Brandon, on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 12:00 noon. A private family graveside service will take place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Kae's name to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, the Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice. "Life could not exist without death nor could the day without the light all things be they yearly cycles or life times must eventually end, And from endings come new beginnings"