“A family can develop only with a loving woman as its center.”
Karl W. F. Schlegel
Kathy was that rock! She was a loving wife, a devoted mother, and absolutely loved becoming a grandmother and cherished every minute of it! Kathy was ever-present to guide and support, whenever needed. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her but will live on through our memories and storytelling.
Kathleen “Kathy” Marie was born in Hanover on Sunday, August 4, 1946, to proud parents, Eric and Myrtle (MacDonald) Ashton. She joined her parents and older brother Reg (1939) on the family farm on the 8th of Bentinck, near Crawford. In 1949, the family was made complete with the arrival of Kathy’s younger sister, Brenda. The Ashton children attended public school in Lamlash, before heading off to high school in Hanover at J.D.S.S. Some favourite childhood memories were swimming with her siblings in the Styx river and helping her mother at the annual Crawford garden party.
Upon graduation, Kathy took a job with Fischer Poultry Farm in Ayton as a secretary. Shortly after, an opportunity arose for her to return to J.D.S.S. to work in the office. On Labour Day weekend in 1965, Kathy attended the Elmwood Fun Fair. As the event was drawing to a close, she was approached by the young local barber, John Joseph Walsh, who asked her to dance. One dance soon led to several before Joe asked, and was granted, the honour of driving Kathy home that evening. Who knew then that this would be the beginning of over fifty-five years together. The couple was married on Saturday, November 25, 1967, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hanover.
The newlyweds settled in Elmwood, before later buying the house beside Joe’s barbershop. In 1969, George Loucks sat in Joe’s chair for a haircut and mentioned that he was in search of a secretary. Joe didn’t take the bait… so a few weeks later he was back and asked Joe outright if Kathy might be interested in joining him at his law office in Chesley? Later that year she started as George’s secretary. This began a 52-year career that saw her become Office Manager. She loved her work, and was good at it! Kathy was well respected by her colleagues, co-workers, and clients enjoying the many friendships she made along the way.
In 1971, another chapter of Kathy’s life began when she became a proud mother. Together, with Joe, they welcomed Michael before their family was made complete with the arrival of Chris in 1974. As the boys grew, Kathy was always there to support them and often gave of her time and talents in our community. It shouldn’t be a surprise that she was regularly elected as secretary, which often led to her acting as treasurer as well. She was active in minor sports, a member of the Chesley Kinettes, a 4-H leader, and volunteered her time with Big Brothers & Big Sisters. In 2005, Kathy co-chaired a very successful Chesley Homecoming and as you can tell rarely said “no.” She was a true asset to our community, and was recognized for her dedication when she and Joe won the Bob Hutchinson award for exemplary community service.
In October of 1976, the Walsh family moved to Chesley and settled on Tower Rd. Here, Kathy enjoyed spending her spare time outdoors working in her gardens. She was a true gardener at heart and definitely possessed a green thumb. When the weather did not allow her to be outdoors Kathy could often be found in the kitchen. She was a fantastic cook and baker. She enjoyed trying new dishes and recipes, always looking for perfection! Kathy loved to lose herself in a good book or take in a good series on television. In recent years, Joe was able to convert her to a baseball fan and together they closely followed the Blue Jays. Kathy also loved her cats, having several through the years, however, her current feline, Dexter, was extra special as she shared him with her granddaughter, Kaylie. Together, with Joe, they also enjoyed travelling. They explored the likes of Alaska, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, and Hawaii, just to name a few. However, Woodbrook Park in Lakeland, Florida was a favourite. Here, Kathy loved her time poolside, either in the pool swimming or engaged in conversation with others.
Kathy’s faith played an important role throughout her life. As a young girl, she attended Crawford United Church with her family before joining the Catholic faith after her marriage. She was active with St. Anne’s choir before eventually becoming the choir director. Kathy also immersed herself into the Catholic Women’s League and was there to serve. Here she made many friendships and was always there to help those in need.
In 2003, Kathy became a proud grandmother with the arrival of Ethan. Two years later, she was blessed with a granddaughter, Kaylie. As the grandkids grew, Nana and Poppa regularly attended their sporting events, school activities, and life milestones. Time with Nana never disappointed, as there were many memorable sleepovers, and trips to ALL the different parks around town. Lots of time was spent in the kitchen with Nana making the best pancakes and muffins! She would do anything for her grandchildren and loved every minute of it.
Sadly, in the fall of 2020, Kathy was diagnosed with cancer. She was very determined to overcome this diagnosis and made the best of every day. She continued working but was forced to step back last year when her health declined further. In September of last year, Joe and Kathy downsized and called the new development on Palmer Marie Lane home. Here, Kathy lived out her remaining months surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends.
Kathy passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in her 76th year.
Beloved wife of Joe. Loving mother of Mike of Chesley and Chris and his wife Heather Klages of Port Elgin. Cherished Nana to Ethan and Kaylie. She will be dearly missed by brother Reg Ashton and sister Brenda Ashton (Rob Divell), all of Lake Rosalind. Kathy was a well-respected member of the law firm of Loucks & Loucks for over fifty years. She was predeceased by her sisters-in-law Marie Ashton, Eileen (Walsh) Rier, and her parents Eric and Myrtle (MacDonald) Ashton.
A public visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Hanover on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. A Funeral Mass honouring Kathy’s life will follow at 11 a.m. The Funeral Mass was recorded and can be viewed at: https://holyfamily.ca/media/. Inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Kathy’s home parish, St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, in Chesley or Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
So sorry for your loss. Kathy was truly a wonderful person.
Dear Joe and family, We are so deeply saddened to hear of Kathy’s passing. So sorry for the delay in sending our condolences as we didn’t realize this. She was such a lovely lady and we are very fortunate to have shared wonderful times with her and yourselves. We hold close in our hearts memories of all of the “cousin reunions” and other fun times that we shared. We keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Wayne and Lori Bryce and family.
Sorry to hear my deepest condolences
Our sincerest condolences to Joe and family as you grieve the loss of Kathy. She will be missed immensely by the whole community. We will always remember her as a true professional while she worked at Loucks & Loucks.
Joe, long time, so sorry that we have to reconnect this way. Over many years, from George to Peter’s timeline, it was always my honour and privilege to send my problems through Kathy first and then she would place them in order to the bosses…I respected her work at Loucks and knew that I was important! My deepest condolences to you and y o urs. I also enjoyed my truck sales meetings that we have had over the the years. Again, sorry for your loss Joe, to you and your family.
Joe, Mike, Chris, Heather, Ethan and Kaylie,
Our most sincere sympathy on the loss of a wonderful lady. She really was a true lady.
I am fortunate to have worked with Kathy at Loucks and Loucks for many years. She was so knowledgeable and was always willing to help out when needed. And we loved to share stories about our grandchildren. She was a fixture at the office and her loss will be deeply felt by all of us at Loucks and Loucks.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.
Sorry for your loss
Mike,Chris and Joe just found out of the passing of your mom and wife. My deepest sympathy to you. She was a very lovely lady and will be missed. Wishing you comfort and peace at this most difficult time.
So sorry to hear about Cathy’s passing, she was so competent in her years at Loucks and Loucks where we new her best. Blessings to all her family
To Joe, Mike, Chris, Heather and family, our deepest sympathy to you. Kathy was a beautiful lady and she will be missed by everyone you knew her. Hold close to your memories.
Dear Joe,
We were very saddened to get the news of Kathy’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and to all of Kathy’s family.
Kathy was a lovely lady and our lives were enriched when we became friends of Kathy and you while at Woodbrook Park in Lakeland, FL.
Kathy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
I met Kathy while working at Loucks and Loucks. She was so very competent and a real pleasure to work with. Kathy was always gracious and kind, and never hesitated to brag about her beloved grandchildren. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Our deepest sympathies to the Walsh & Ashton families.
Garry & Carol Hastie
Our sincere sympathy to Joe, Mike, Chris and Family. Kathy was such a fixture at Loucks & Loucks and downtown Chesley. She will be missed by many.
Our deepest condolences to Joe and the Walsh family. You must have so many great memories!
Our condolences to the Walsh family. Kathy was a lovely lady with a kind nature. She will be missed by so many.
Joe and family. Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Kathy. She was a fixture for so long in downtown Chesley, many times you would catch her watering the plants at Loucks and Loucks . She will be missed by all who knew her.
Mike and family: so sorry to hear of the passing of Kathleen , a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. May you draw strength from the presence of your loved ones at this difficult time.
Joe and family, my deepest sympathy in the loss of your beloved Kathy. I have many fond memories of Crawford Church and the Ashton Family.
Our heartfelt condolences to Joe, Mike, Chris and families. Kathy was one of the first people I met when I became a parishioner of St. Anne’s Catholic Church 40+ years ago. She invited me to join the Catholic Women’s League and I quickly made friends in the Chesley community. Kathy was a driving force of so many of the activities at St. Anne’s including the spaghetti fundraisers, Coffee Sundays, Christmas potlucks, the CWL Coffee Breaks and Bazaars, the rummage sales, the choir, etc. She led with a gentle hand and always had a smile and positive outlook. Who could say “no”to her? She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family. God bless!
I had the pleasure of working with Kathy on numerous occasions while I worked at the bank. Not only was she incredibly helpful and knowledgeable but I considered her a wonderful friend. She will be dearly missed. My condolences to the family
Our deepest sympathy Joe, to you and your family at this difficult time. Kathy was an amazing person and I really enjoyed any time that was spent with her over the years. She will most definitely be missed in so many ways!
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Kathy.
During the 22years that we have known her, we saw the love she had for her family and her dedication to her community and colleagues. She will be missed and not forgotten.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Joe, Mike, Chris and all the Walsh and Ashton families.
Joe, Mike, Chris and family. Our deepest sympathy at this most difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a great lady who will be deeply missed.
My deepest sympathy to Joe and family on your loss of Kathy. She was a lovely lady!
Joe, Mike, Chris and family. So sorry for your loss. Kathy was a terrific lady! ❤️
Joe and family, both Pat and I offer our condolences on Kathy’s passing. A wonderful lady.
Sorry to hear about your great loss, Joe and all your family.Please accept our great sympathy and cherish all your memories.
My sympathy to you, Joe and to all your family. Remembering days at Hanover HS/John Diefenbaker and adventures at various other places! From
Ruth Anne Robinson at Riverview, New Brunswick
My sincere condolences to the Walsh and Ashton families. I have many memories of Kathy from Crawford church and from days in Chesley. Cherish your memories of this special lady.
I had the privilege of being a co-worker of Kathy’s for many years at Loucks & Loucks. Kathy was a mentor, and a friend. She was always very professional at her work, but also very kind. She took an interest in all staff, from new hires to the “experienced” ones. She was also a lot of fun, in the office and yes at office parties! We often exchanged recipes (Kathy was such a great cook and hostess) and I still have many favourites from these exchanges. I am so grateful to have known this remarkable woman, she will be deeply missed. My sincerest condolences to Joe and family.
My sincerest condolences to the Walsh and Ashton families. Kathy was one remarkable lady and will be sadly missed by her family, and her many friends. Great memories of our friendship with you and Kathy over so may years Joe.
So to hear of Kathy’s passing. Sympathy to Joe and family on their loss of a beautiful woman inside and out .
So sorry to hear about Kathy sending our sincere condolences to you and the family. We will keep you in our prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Walsh and Ashton family at this sad time.
Kathy was a dear friend for many years. Her lovely smile and outgoing personality will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Kathy passing. Our sincere condolences to Joe, Mike and Chris and the Ashton family
Joe, Mike, Chris and family
Deepest sympathy to you all
and cherish all the great memories you have.
She will be dearly missed my all.
Joe & family Reg & Brenda
Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time
Sincere sympathy…Joe, Mike,
Chris,Heather,Ethan, Kaylie and extended family.
Oh what memories…..
Our deepest condolences to Joe and the whole Walsh Family.
Sending sincere sympathy to the Walsh family.
So sorry to hear the sad news. Chesley has lost a truly awesome women.
Cherish your memories.♥️
I was so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I worked with her at Loucks and Loucks when I was in high school and she was a great boss and an excellent lady. I know she will be very greatly missed in the office and of course by her family. My sincere condolences.
Walsh and Ashton families,
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear.
Dear Joe, Mike, Chris, Heather & family- we were so very sorry to hear that you have lost your beautiful Kathy. She was an elegant lady and a lovely person who was so proud of her family. We will always remember her friendly smile and our nice chats together whenever we met. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
So sorry to the Walsh Family for their loss Kathy will be missed by all
Kathy was a dear friend for many years. We will miss her terribly.
Our sincerest sympathies to Joe, Mike, Chris and family.