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Katherine Patricia Spence
February 4, 1937 - November 1, 2022
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<div itemprop="description">It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Katherine Patricia (Barycky) Spence announces her passing at Victoria Hospital, LHSC, in London Ontario at the age of 85. Beloved wife of sixty-six years to the late Alexander (Sandy) Fletcher Spence (died September 9, 2022.) Loving and devoted mother to Sandra (Andy), Scott, Laurie (John), Jadie (Cathy) and Sally (Eric). Caring grandmother to Krystle, Tyler, Heather, Johanna, Dawn, Jackie, Gordon, Shianna, James, Luke, Kali, Abi and 3 great grandchildren, Jacob, Patrick and Jaxson. Dear sister of Eugene, Laddie, Tamila, and the late Diana & Christina. <br> <br>Kathy was born in Montreal, Quebec to Teklia “Tillie” Ruby and Stefanus Ivanovitch “Stefan” Barycky /also “Barecki”), where she lived 80 years of her life, primarily in Pointe Claire, until moving to London in 2017. <br> <br>As a child she exhibited many talents such as dancing, playing the violin and mandolin, and singing at the local Ukrainian centre. She was involved with Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) in the United Church. She participated in many sports and excelled at them. <br> <br>Kathy became a top sprinter in Canada and was chosen to participate in elite training at the CNE with the Canadian Olympic Training Plan in 1953, qualified and participated in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver in 1954, and filled albums with newspaper articles and photos of her accomplishments. <br> <br>It was through running with the Olympic Track Club that she eventually met fellow top Canadian sprinter Sandy Spence. Eventually, he was able to chase her down...and convince her to marry him. Sandy and Kathy were married on June 30th, 1956 at St. James United Church, Montreal. Together they raised five children with whom they shared their love of sports and lives of service. <br> <br>Kathy had tremendous energy and a love of people. She would organize wonderful field days for all of the children and families in the Pointe Claire neighbourhood they lived in with their young family. In addition, she taught fitness and first aid to adults in the community. <br> <br>For more than 50 years, Kathy and Sandy loved the annual summer vacations to the beautiful Atlantic coast of Maine with their five children. There are many photos of Kathy throwing the football on the beach with a perfect spiral. <br> <br>In addition to the incredible work involved in raising five children and supporting her husband, and with a heart and soul for service, Kathy volunteered with St. John Ambulance Canada, coached track and field on club teams with her husband and worked in nursing at Bayview Long Term Care Home where she provided excellent care to the residents. <br> <br>Later in life Kathy continued to demonstrate true resiliency and a positive spirit while enduring many years of serious health challenges. She was greatly appreciated by the staff at Dearness Home for her kindness, humour, ability to speak a number of languages and even offer to help others from her wheelchair. Even up to the end of her days on earth, she was compassionate, generous and selfless. <br> <br>A life well-lived leaves its gentle pattern on the hearts of all, and the world <br>is a lovelier place because one person touched it with warmth and <br>goodness and grace. <br> <br>A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 19th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of St. Columba by-the-Lake, 11 Rodney Ave., Pointe-Claire, followed by graveside committal at Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Cemetery, 701 Donegani, Pointe Claire, Quebec. Please join the family following the committal in the lower hall at the church for a gathering to honour Kathy and share memories. <br> <br>Those who would like to join the family virtually may do so by using our Livestream platform with the following link: https://fweb.tv/89837 <br> <br>The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation in Kathy’s name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. <br> <br></div>