It is with sadness that the family of Kathleen (Jimmy) King announces her passing on February 1, 2009 surrounded by her family. Kathleen was born at Vancouver General Hospital to Frank and Nellie (nee Hearn) Gowen on October 15, 1917. She was the first of her siblings to be born in a hospital. She was the youngest of four children. She also had two step-brothers.
As a young woman, Kathleen worked in her father’s photography and souvenir business at Prospect Point in Stanley Park (1932) and the Wigwam store at the foot of Granville Street. In the days before colour photography, Kathleen and her sister Evelyn tinted black and white photographs for George Noble who was well known photographer in Banff AB. After marrying Harold King on June 1, 1941, Kathleen was a homemaker and mother to Lynn and Ross. She sewed clothing for her children, knitted, loved to read, and wrote endless letters. She was a long time member of the Women’s Guild at St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church. The last several years, Kathleen was a resident of Pioneer Village and then when her health deteriorated, Hillside Village in Salmon Arm. She enjoyed endless visits from nearby family members.
Jimmy was predeceased by her parents, husband Harold (1972), daughter Lynn (2007), sisters Evelyn (2001) Ethel (1969) and step-brother Stanley (1986). She is survived by her son Ross (Colleen), grandchildren Dianne, Donna (Scott Wray), Leanne (Tyler Smith), Todd and Laura (Craig Shiells), great grandchildren (David, Jenna, Joshua and Liberty) and her brother Reg (Jean) and step-brother Francis and many other family members and close friends.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church (2641 Chesterfield Avenue) in North Vancouver beginning at 1:00 pm. We cannot adequately express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Hillside Village, Salmon Arm, BC for the excellent care and compassion shown to Jimmy during her stay there. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.