Kathy (Petersen) Spence

January 12, 2023

It is with broken hearts that the family announces the passing of Kathy (Petersen) Spence, with her family by her side, at the West Parry Sound Health Centre, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Age 65 years. 

Beloved wife of Robert Spence. Dear step-mother of Sean Spence (Lori), and Stewart Spence (Missy). Cherished Grandma of Nathan, Kyle, Ethan, Donovan, Collin, Stella, and Scarlett. Loving daughter of Marion Petersen. Dear sister of Audrey (Tony) and David; nephews Ben and Nik. Sister-in-law of Cheryl (Bob), Allan (Anita), Todd (Donna), and John. Forever missed by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and many friends. 

Kathy was born in 1957 in Dalhousie N.B. to Marion (Colwell) Petersen and the late Ken Petersen. Starting in Blacklands, then Dalhousie, N.B., Kathy packed so much activity into her life. High School was full of volleyball, skiing, basketball, figure skating, and life guarding, together with many who became lifelong friends.

Kathy was born to be an educator. Her favourite toy was her chalkboard - teaching her older sister and younger brother their letters and numbers. She continued in Fredericton where she received a Bachelor of Education from Saint Thomas University. She then took summer courses to complete her Master’s in Education from UNB. Her teaching career started in Spanish Harlem, NYC, and then took her to Brampton Ontario, teaching in several Peel Board schools, progressing from teacher to vice principal through to principal. She retired in December 2020 from the Near North District School Board after a 34-year career where she loved her job and mentoring many younger educators looking to move forward in their career paths.

It was in Brampton that she met her soul mate Rob. Together they built a beautiful, busy life, that began with a dream honeymoon in Hawaii. This was followed with 25 years of travelling every chance that came up, boating, fishing, camping, and teaching her nephews how to ski. She made many trips back East to spend time in Dalhousie and to the cottage by the beautiful Bay of Chaleur. Eventually they built a beautiful retirement home, ‘Trail’s End’, in McKellar, Ontario. Retirement did not mean slowing down. She volunteered at the hospital, the Lions Club, participated in a 5K Run for the Cure, and joined a group organizing a 150th birthday party for her new home community.

Interment of ashes will take place on July 05, 2023 at 1pm in New Mills protestant cemetery, NB, by MacMillan Funeral Home.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

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