Kathryn Gertrude Skau

It is with deep sadness and gratitude for an incredible life that we share the news of Kathryn Skau’s passing on September 27th at the age of 87. Kathy is survived by her three younger brothers, Eldon, Arthur and Willard, many beloved nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Born in St. Catherine’s, Ontario in 1938, Kathy was the first of John J. Willms and Martha Hinz’s five children. She spent her early life on the family farm in Gem, Alberta, a small Mennonite community, where she was known to be a bright student, with a strong aptitude for music and sports. She became the resident church pianist after teaching herself how to play piano, and loved to play softball and skate. Her childhood on the farm inspired a lifelong affinity for the wide open spaces of the prairies.

From an early age, it became clear that Kathy would be a trailblazer. After leaving home, she completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education at the University of Calgary, followed by a PhD from the University of Texas (Austin), becoming the first in her family to pursue education at this level. (Later in life, she also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Opera Studies.)

In the mid-1970s, she returned to the University of Calgary. Over the next 20 years, she built an impressive academic career, publishing extensively in her field and rising to the position of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education. Following an early retirement from the university, Kathy continued her career in education in Vancouver, becoming the President and Academic Dean of Century College, Academic Dean of Kingston College, and continuing to teach at private colleges until 2018. She was beloved by students for her engaging style and supportive approach.

Kathy was always a gregarious, curious, and adventurous spirit. She was an avid traveller, spending time in China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and central America, and never shied away from a new experience. She had a knack for striking up conversation with anyone, relying on her wicked sense of humour, and made connections easily throughout her life. She read voraciously, loved to learn new things, and was always happy in the middle of a heated debate about the politics of the day. A passionate patron of the arts, she kept up her season tickets to the symphony, opera and Bard on the Beach until this spring, and was always listening to her extensive collection of classical music CDs.

Among her family and eventually everyone, she earned the nickname “AK” (short for Aunty Kathy), and became a supportive anchor to family and friends far and wide. She never missed sending a birthday card (often weeks early), attended every recital, play or graduation she could, and reserved bragging rights about the accomplishments of nephews, nieces and friends. A doting aunt, she was almost like a grandmother to many nieces and nephews, and delighted in becoming a grand-aunt in recent years. Often acting as the family hub, she rekindled family relationships when they’d been lost, kept up with distant relatives, and passed along the latest news. She was also the family photographer (for better or worse!), and started a tradition of making a family calendar (featuring plenty of creative photoshopping and questionable candids) every Christmas.

Fiercely independent and not one to dwell, AK was a firm believer in enjoying life to the fullest, and looking good while doing it. Whether riding in a sidecar, cheating at Scrabble or ‘holding court’ at the Blue Parrot on Granville Island, she was always up to no good in the very best way.

AK passed away in Salmon Arm, BC, surrounded by loved ones, at peace with herself and the choices she’d made in her life. In her final few days, she was bombarded with calls, notes and visits from loved ones — still the life of the party, just as she would have liked. She will be sorely missed.

The family will gather for a celebration of life at a later date, and would love to hear any AK anecdotes or memories to share at that time.