November 24, 1942 - June 15, 2020
If willpower alone fought cancer, Kay would still be with us today. Sadly, she couldn't psyche up a cure like she could with so many other wonderful events in her life.
Wife to Robin Darlington; Mom to Tracy Menzies, Cam Theodore (Corrine), Terri Theodore (Jack) and Troy Theodore (Kate); Grandma to Holly, Scott, Ty, Alyssa, Thomas, Taylor, Shea, Mathew, Cayli, Rebecca; GG to Rowan and aunt to many nieces, nephews.
Kay was an influencer long before the term was invented. She started her real estate career in Abbotsford in 1972 and quickly gained a reputation as skillful and trustworthy. Director and then president of the FVREB in 1989, Kay was a leader in the industry.
She was generous with her time, money and good advice and had a special "Hello" when people called looking for help. Her smile always welcomed friends and disarmed strangers.
Kay and Robin started a new life 25 years ago in Mexico, gathering another group of lifelong friends and creating wonderful memories with their families at their grande casa in San Jose del Cabo. Kay's love of real estate continued in the Baja, where many clients became friends. Kay and Robin also supported many animal rescues, changing lives by matching countless dogs and cats with new families.
Born in Winnipeg, she was the third daughter for Art and Irene McDonnell. She was predeceased by her beloved sisters Joyce McEachern and Lil Muldowan. She is also survived by her bother Wray McDonnell (Linda), sister Anne Griffin (Randy).
In November, "Grandma Kay" dropped the puck in front of thousands of Golden Knights hockey fans in Las Vegas in a ceremonial faceoff with her grandson, Shea Theodore. She said the NHL event for Hockey Fights Cancer was "the thrill of her lifetime."
Kay always believed that you got out of life what you put in, allowing her to live double the lifetime of most others. Her influence lives on in all those who knew her.