Kathleen Hargreaves
September 28 1928 – August 1 2020
Kathleen Hargreaves died August 1, after more than a month in and out of Canmore hospital, battling pneumonia. She was 91 and will be remembered for her inspiring example of family support to move our lives forward.
Born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, Kathleen was the only child of Herbert Berry who worked at the local Co-op for more than 50 years after he was invalided out of the First World War, and Beatrice Dyke, weaver, who worked at the Burnley Mill. Kathleen completed secretarial and bookkeeping courses to qualify for work as an office worker, and later, hospital registry clerk. When her only son immigrated and married in Canada, Kathleen was quick to follow in 1976, saying she did not want to spend every holiday journeying to see her grandchildren.
She joined the McLaws and Company Calgary law firm in the bookkeeping department and rose to office manager as the firm expanded during its early transition to computers. Moving to the smaller law firm of Kim Megaffin, Kathleen was able to enjoy travel adventures with husband Willie (Bill) Hargreaves (d. 1995).
Kathleen relished the outdoor opportunities her new country provided. She was an avid hiker/cross country skier and made many new friends through the Evergreens Ski/Hike Club and Confederation Park Seniors in Calgary. She skied up Cougar Creek before the north side of the highway in Canmore was developed. She was one of the early contributors to the Trans Canada Trail and a marker in her name is located on the Bow River pathway in Calgary. In Canmore, she was a volunteer tutor with the Bow Valley Literacy Group and crocheted many warm lap blankets donated to hospitals.
Later in life, she found loving companionship again with partner Bruce Lawrence, land developer (d. 2005). She and Bruce enjoyed an active social life in Calgary, indulging grandchildren with special outings and trailer adventures visiting friends or relaxing at Bruce’s Gull Lake cottage. After Bruce died, Kathleen returned to Canmore to live with her son and daughter-in-law and later at Origin in Spring Creek.
Kathleen is survived by her only son and daughter-in-law, Ray Breeze (Elaine Smith), Canmore; four grandchildren: Hayden Breeze (Corianne Pfannmuller), Calgary; Claire Breeze (Alex Souvairan), Cochrane; Cayley Breeze (Luke Neer), Cochrane; Anastasia Breeze (Greg Sargent), Canmore and seven great grandchildren: Aurelia, Imogen, Rowen, Osias, Malakai, Cyra and Oren.
We extend our utmost thanks to Dr. Kendra Barrick and the Canmore Hospital emergency and acute care doctors and nurses for their attentive care of Kathleen over the years. Thanks too, to Origin friends, care workers and admin staff who made her declining health over the past few years gentle and memorable with walks, music and friendship.
Cremation has taken place. Kathleen will be laid to rest at Queens Park Cemetery, Calgary.
