Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love,
the things you are,
the things you never want to lose.
~ The Wonder Years ~
Kathleen “Kay” Marion was born Tuesday, April 1, 1930 in Owen Sound to Elizabeth Marguerite (Vair) and Howard (Harwood) Clarence Cook Boddy.
Kay’s parents were married June 24, 1926 by The Rev. Thos. Laidlaw of the United Church in Canada. Their witnesses were Doris Boddy and Clifford Bassett and at the time of their marriage, Howard was a C.P.R. Section Man and Elizabeth worked as a stenographer.
Kay was the middle of three children: Merle, Kay and Sandra. The girls were raised in Owen Sound where they attended both public and high school. Kay had beautiful red locks in her youth and soon received the nickname of Rusty. Following school, Kay began working at the Bank of Commerce in Owen Sound. After a few years in the workforce, Kay was approached by a couple of friends about travelling west. Being young and adventurous, the three set out to explore more of Canada, going as far as Vancouver. The adventure lasted about a year with many experiences had and life lessons learned.
After returning home, and at a social function, Kay met and began a unique relationship with her future husband Harold Bluhm, from the Desboro area. Their relationship blossomed and on October 2, 1954 Kay married Harold Earl Bluhm, the son of John Christian and Priscillia (Gougeon) Bluhm. The couple was married at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Owen Sound by The Rev. Dutcher. Rose Elliot was Kay’s Maid of Honour and Norman Bluhm was the Best Man.
The young couple joined John and Priscillia on the Bluhm family farm outside of Desboro. They soon welcomed three children Debbie (1955), Jeanette (1960) and David (1962). Following her marriage, Kay worked for a few years at the Bell Switchboard in Chesley as well as being at home with the children. On the farm, they focused primarily on dairy and then in time concentrated more on beef cattle. In keeping with the times, there was usually a little bit of everything (e.g. pigs, chickens etc.) on the farm. Ask the kids how many cat tails mom caught in the door!
However farming was a very new and uncharted career coming from the city. But Kay adapted over her 30 years on the land and became the strength and pillar that ultimately kept her family together for as long as she could.” Her children respected and admired their mother knowing it had not “been easy.”
During her school years she excelled at spelling and participated in public speaking contests receiving high marks for her efforts. Who of us didn’t dread those? Curling up with a good book was not her forte. She did not find the time or opportunity, but did look forward every week to receiving the Chesley Enterprise. The bible of the area!!
In her retirement years she took up knitting and crocheting (everyone had mitts and slippers and tons of dishcloths). Social life on the farm was limited but had she been given the opportunity she could have turned heads swinging to the sound of the Glen Miller orchestra!
Kay was an incredible woman who had many talents. She enjoyed baking, with her children recalling the many cookies, cakes, pies (Kay made a mean Dutch Apple Pie) and tarts (especially Butter Tarts) consumed in their childhood. Being resourceful, Kay could make anything out of nothing and always provided for her family.
Kay also possessed a deep interest in drawing, in fact she was a natural at it. Kay was an all-round gifted person as she also took piano lessons in her youth. She completed her grade eight piano but loved all kinds of music, especially the crooners like Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck. The 3 Tenors became a different mix of sound that she also enjoyed. She was however open to all types of music no matter what category it fell into. I’m sure some of the tunes being played by her kids after school did not quite fit but she never complained. Curling was another favourite sport and pastime of Kay’s. She attempted to become a bit of a sledder but that unfortunately ended when she went through the stone pile and a fence.
In her youth and having the reputation of being a tomboy, with her long red messed up carrot top hair twisted into pigtails she had no fear of trying new things. Long bike rides with her friend Rose (Elliott) to Balmy Beach and Hibou conservation park by Leith were a natural. Playing down by the train tracks, racing down long sloping rough hills on foot and bike and sometimes butt these became the challenges she loved.
Kay did enjoy a cigarette and the odd sip during those farm days. Kay decided to stop both those bad habits. Joe and Lois (lifetime friends) were visitors at the farm often. They filled the small farmhouse with joy and lots of laughs. Those were the days! Kay had 3 close friends during those years and they remained such until the time of her passing. They were all she needed to be happy and content. Tom Flavin, was even made a “honourary” member of the family. However, for the most part, Kay pretty much liked to keep to herself.
Kay enjoyed the ODD trip (Uh Huh) to the slots, and bingo games. She truly did enjoy them both! In the early years when money was scarce and neighbours were the entertainment they socialized together on Saturday nights taking turns going to each other’s homes and spent hours playing euchre, socializing, having lots of laughs and ending the evening with the host making a light snack. As her eyesight began to deteriorate she was unable to continue driving and this was a definite start to her independence being taken away. Well imagine someone attempting to flag you down to stop at a roadside check and you not even seeing the officer drove right through it!!
Losing her driver’s license and “retiring” the car was difficult for Kay, as it is with most. Even though Kay had a passport, she wasn’t much of a traveller. She did travel however to Ottawa on an occasion to see her sister and even took a trip, with Barb, on the “Delta Queen,” America’s last authentic steamboat.
Not only was Kay gifted, she was also compassionate, loving, loyal and honest. A truly good person, inside and out. Her married life was unlike others. The decision to return to Owen Sound with her children was developed with the deep desire, and longing, for peace and for others to be happy. Kay worked very diligently to ensure this! Being the person she was she maintained a great support group with her small group of close friends. Her children were her world, not to mention her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay taught her children to work hard, be honest, and to love one another. Her friends supported and encouraged her decision to start a new life away from the farm. Influence and support from her parents and friends allowed her to do this. In turn she was a great influence on her children.
When not making her staple meat and potato meal, she also enjoyed treating herself to Chinese food. She made lots of bread pudding on the farm. It was a dessert staple many times. To this day her children and even grandchildren still look forward to a big bowl with milk poured over it. Spring was a favourite of Kay’s as it led into one of her favourite holidays, Easter.
If she was to turn on the TV it would be CNN of course…. but not much of a Trump supporter. Go figure! 🙂 Kay became very knowledgeable about the political and environmental state of the country. When the O.J Simpson case broke she watched that diligently for months … every day. The attacks of 911 every day. Any major out breaking story she took interest in and followed from start to finish.
In 1987, Kay returned to Owen Sound and began life anew and on her own again, working at the Owen Sound Hospital. She remained in Owen Sound, her home, through her retirement before returning to Chesley to be closer to her family. In September of 2015, Kay suffered a severe stroke and was soon forced to move from The Halliday House to her final home, The Village in Hanover. Kay’s persistence and determination allowed her to recover very well from this major setback, however her speech never fully returned to her.
Sadly, a wonderful lady was lost on Friday, March 3, 2017. In her 87th year, Kathleen passed away at The Village Seniors Community, Hanover.
Cherished mother of Deb (Robin) Hepburn of Chesley, Jeanette (Brian) Norris of Mooresburg and David (Chris)of Elora. Kay will be sadly missed by her sister Sandra (Ted) Hewitt of Ottawa, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Merle Boddy, parents Howard and Elizabeth (Vair) Boddy and her former husband Harold Bluhm.
A Celebration of Kay’s life will be held on her birthday, Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the Klages Mill, Chesley (11 – 1st Ave. N.) at 2 p.m. We will be sharing stories of Kay during the service. You are invited to bring an item with you, that holds memories of her, intended for a memory box in Kay’s honour. Inurnment in Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
