Parcourez la nécrologie de Kay MacGregor Saturday February 17th 2024 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Kathleen Mary MacGregor (nee Speer) passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 17, 2024, with 3 generations of family surrounding her in her final days. She was deeply and widely loved. Beloved mother of David (Katerina), Andrew (Karen), Tammy (Joe), Kim (Everett). Cherished grandmother of Luke (2019), Danny, Adam, Sloane (Matt), Andrew, Logan, Alexandra, Victoria, David, Catherine, Katie, and Emma. Devoted great grandmother of Westlund, Willow, and Wren. Dear aunt to David, Peni, Allison, Paul, Peter, and Nancy. Predeceased by her sister Eleanor & brother Fred (Grace).
Born in Toronto on May 18, 1929, Katie Speer was the youngest of 3 children born to Doris and Fred Speer. Her creative gifts were many: dancing, singing, painting, designing/sewing dresses & other outfits.
Kay studied Fashion Design and upon graduating she worked as a buyer’s assistant and eventually was in charge of production with Toronto clothing manufacturers.
Always fearless and with a zest for life, at the age of 21, Kay took the Holland Amsterdam ship by herself across the Atlantic to Europe, where a school friend was visiting family. Dropped at Union Station by her parents for the night train to New York, she made her way to the port upon arrival and aboard the ship to set sail for the one-week journey across the Atlantic – fully excited and eagerly looking forward to what may lay ahead. This was quintessential Kay.
Upon return to Toronto, she continued being an active member of the youth group at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. It was here she began a lifelong relationship with God and the church.
She also joined a social club for tall people called Tip Toppers where she met the handsome David MacGregor. They married in 1953 and set up house in Toronto. Life took them in different directions though and in 1970, she moved herself and her 4 children (David, Andrew, Tammy & Kim) to the town of Orangeville where she felt she could raise her children to have a good life. It was in this small town that Kay threw the force of her zest, drive, creativity and love of family & community to build a life that would enrich so many around her.
Her children were always the most important thing to her. Driven by the need to provide for them, she continued to display the tireless energy & work ethic that so defined her: commuting to her job every day in Toronto and staying two evenings per week to teach night school. After a close call one night returning home, she took a position in Orangeville at Patterson’s Carpet & Drape Shoppe where she proved to be a natural salesperson with a large personality and sense of humour that resonated with all.
6 years later, when told that the business was going to close because of the owner’s desire to retire, Kay walked to the bank on her lunch hour, and convinced the manager to loan her enough money to buy the business. Kay MacGregor Custom Draperies operated from its Broadway location for the next two decades producing high-end custom draperies and window treatments for local homeowners.
Kay and her family attended St Mark’s Anglican church where she was a member of the choir. Along with the curate, she founded the St. Mark’s Choral Society, which grew into Orangeville’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society. As productions and audiences became larger, the group evolved eventually to become what is today the Orangeville Music Theater.
In the late 1970s, Kay became an active participant in the local church group that supported 2 Vietnamese families fleeing the war-torn country. Not only did Kay provide the group with housing for a year, but she provided two of the women with employment as seamstresses, sharing the blessings and opportunity she herself felt so fortunate to have received.
Kay retired in her 70’s and moved to the country to be surrounded by the nature she loved so much. Her retirement years saw her begin to volunteer at Theatre Orangeville where she became House Manager and oversaw the volunteer program. These years and the people she met brought her great joy. She also began to tap dance again and participated in local shows and concerts.
When she decided to ‘slow down’ in her early 80’s, she stepped back from the Theatre, and again took up the paint brush. For the next several years she kept a studio at the Alton Mill and enjoyed being part of this community of artists. Well into her 80’s, she transitioned to her home studio where she continued to paint and create.
Despite her many accomplishments, Kay was most proud of her family which was at the core of who she was and everything she did. She was the very best mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; her ability to love seemed endless, her grace never failed, and words can’t describe how she will forever be missed.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday February 25th, 2024 at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel and Reception Centre, 21 First St., Orangeville beginning with a visitation at 12:00 pm and service at 1:00 pm followed by a reception/luncheon.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations are welcomed at the Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Animal Centre, or towards a charity of your choice.
A tree will be planted in memory of Kathleen in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 22nd Annual Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
Saturday February 17th 2024
Décès pour la Ville:Orangeville, Province: Ontario
avis deces Kay MacGregor Saturday February 17th 2024
nécrologie Kay MacGregor Saturday February 17th 2024
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Kay MacGregor Saturday February 17th 2024 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.