Kathleen Philomena Martin (Walsh)
RN, SCM, PHN
Born Feb 20, 1925 to Robert and Kathleen Walsh in Cork, Ireland Kay passed away June 4, 2021 in Dryden, ON. Kay was the eldest daughter of 16 children; Sean, Noel, Michael, Mary Teresa, Patrick, William, Maire, Peter, Finbar, Edward, Ann, Margaret, Donel, Breda and James.
Kay trained as a Registered Nurse in Lancashire, England in 1947 and then received her Midwifery Certificate in Australia, where she worked for 2 years. She followed her brother Sean to the Yukon in 1954 and then to Montreal where she worked for 2 years. She was enticed to work for Medical Services at Nursing stations in Northern Ontario; the Central Patricia Pickle Lake area. There she met Stuart Martin who was working for Indian Affairs. They were married in 1957 and moved to Sioux Lookout where Kay worked in maternity at the Sioux Lookout General Hospital. She loved the thrill of assisting with the birth of babies and talked of her first twin delivery (unexpected) and a delivery in the ambulance. They had 2 daughters; Kathy and Stephanie. Stu had 2 daughters from his first marriage; Dianne and Sharron.
In 1974 the Martin family moved to Kenora. They built their dream home at Muriel Lake and Kay worked at The Lake of The Woods District Hospital. She enrolled through distance education at University of Toronto and in 1977 received her Public Health Nursing certificate. She worked at the Northwestern Health Unit in Minaki and Kenora and then as the school nurse at Beaver Brae until 1985 when she retired. Kay was a volunteer with the CNIB and a board member of the Northwestern Health Unit.
Kay was truly a lifelong learner and world traveller. There are not many countries she had not seen. She returned every year until recently to her roots in Cork, and kept close bonds with her siblings and family there. She loved hearing from her Irish family and her “favorite “- Paddy. Curling, golf and bridge were her hobbies and she was a Master bridge player.
Stu died in 2003 and Kay moved to Whiterock, BC in 2004. Mom found her “place at the sea” and ocean view which she loved. She spent 12 good years there and enjoyed the Newcomers Club, Par 3’s and many bridge clubs where she said she could play any day of the week.
In 2016 Kay moved to Dryden and lived at Princess Court Long Term Care Home. She liked to sit in the courtyard in summer and enjoyed the entertainment opportunities. Her greatest joy was seeing her daughters and grandchildren. Special thank you to those staff that showed kindness and caring to Kay in her later years.
Kay is survived by her children Kathy (Dan Bryck), Stephanie (Steve Marshall), Dianne (Garron Tintinalli) and Sharron (Ron Mills) and by grandchildren Kaitlin, Adam, Erin, Kevin, Trisha, Janice, Gary, Pam and their families. She is also survived by many siblings and their spouses, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and family members in Canada, USA and Ireland.
Cremation has taken place and a service will be held in Ireland at a future date as per Kays wishes. In lieu of flowers a donation to Tamarac House in Thunder Bay or a charity of choice is appreciated through the Stevens Funeral Homes P.O. Box 412 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1.
Mom truly lived a full and productive life-may she rest in peace.
