GIBSON
Katherine-Mary (Nee Anderson) R.N.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Katherine-Mary Gibson, at 71 years young. Her final days were spent surrounded by three generations of family, and the wonderful staff at Holmberg House Hospice, in Abbotsford, BC. "KM" was born November 5, 1944 in Winnipeg, where she was raised by Andy and Florence. She attended United College, then trained at the Children's Hospital and became a Registered Nurse. "Kathy" married Barry July 16, 1966. They moved to Saskatoon, and on to Edmonton, raising three sons (Paul, Joel, and Andrew) along the way. Never a couple to remain rooted in one place, "Kathy" and Barry also made homes - and gathered lifelong friends - in Pigeon Lake, back in Winnipeg, Matlock, Seminole and Abbotsford. Although family and friends were the focal point in her life, Katherine Mary made time for many things; she volunteered, sing in the church choir, work with the Manitoba Lung Association, and served on various strata and condominium committees. Although Kathy passed quietly, 'quiet' would never be an adjective to describe her. As a mother of three boys, she had to speak-up to be heard, and that skill stayed with her. "KM" was bluntly (but never brutally) honest, shot from the hip, and called it as she saw it - whether people agreed with her or not. As blunt as Kath was with her honesty, she was even more fierce with her love. Her husband of 50 years, sons, daughters-in-law (Cory and Liz), eight grandchildren (Jodie, Jaimie, Mason, Tyson, Kieran, Owen, Madison, and Brody), relatives, and friends all knew that KM cared deeply for them. "Family, like branches on a tree, may all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one." Katherine-Mary/Mom/Grandma was our roots, and will be missed dearly. A celebration of her life will take place at Mt. Lehman United Church, 6256 Mount Lehman Rd., Abbotsford BC, on Friday, June 3, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Abbotsford Hospice Society and Holmberg House, 32780 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 1J7. www.abbotsfordhospice.org