Obituary of Kathryn Peachey
PEACHEY, Kathryn
Sadly and unexpectedly on June 30th, following what was to be a routine heart surgery, Kathryn Peachey, 72, passed away at the Kingston Health Sciences Center with her beloved husband and daughters by her side. She will be missed greatly by her husband and best friend of 51 years, Michael, and cherished daughters Sharon Ward, Kim Peachey, and Korinne Peachey (Nick Constantinidis). Nanny’s laughter, fun and all of her life’s lessons will live on in her pride and joy, her grandchildren, Luke & Molly, Katey, Peter & Michael, and special bonus granddaughters, Stephanie & Emily. Also survived by big brother Don Melanson (Wanda), and numerous, much loved nieces, nephews, cousins and extended families.
Born and raised in Moncton N.B., she was a proud Maritime girl, and family vacations to the East Coast were often. She shared a bed with her twin sister and best friend Judi, until the day they were each married, and left their loving, boisterous family home. It was one evening in 1969 that Kathryn (Kathy at the time) went to the Legion with her parents, Ruth and Cab, for some Saturday night fun, and met a cute Navy L.S. who was just on his way out. Mike didn’t quite make the parking lot, instead making the best decision of his life to turn around and go find the beautiful girl who smiled at him on her way in. On June 19th, 1970 they were married, and the adventures began. Mike’s military career took the family to Bermuda (twice), Inuvik, Edmonton and finally Kingston, where they have made a home since 1983.
Kathryn spent their years of travel making incredible, lasting friendships that remain steadfast and true today. Her address book is burgeoning with names, her phone contacts are in the hundreds, and every single one of them would have a story about what an incredible woman she was. Her laughter was recognizable, and her zest for life plentiful. She was always present, always available for anything her family needed. She knew how to fix anything…a loose button, a gourmet meal, a kids broken heart. And if she didn’t know, she faked it with confidence. Mom was a social butterfly and our biggest (and loudest) cheerleader. She was the neighborhood Mom, who always had an open door and an extra seat at the table for whoever needed it. She was funny and sassy and cool. Our family was the center of her universe, and we all carry the same devotion to our own families because of her. Although much too short, her time with her grandchildren has left them with an amazing foundation of which to grow upon….be strong, be kind, be confident, laugh often and loudly, stick together, and stick up for anyone who needs it.
Kathryn and Mike’s retirement years took them to Florida for the Winter months, where golf and sunshine and socials were the daily norm, and so many more incredible friendships were made. It was every January for all of those years that her daughters and grandkids met them for the annual ‘Nanny and Papa Florida Vacation’, whether at favorite resort ‘Orange Lake’, or on the cruise trip of 2020- for their 50th Anniversary Celebration, a treat for everyone from Nanny that will be forever remembered.
Her liver transplant in 1994 at University Hospital London, On, was handled by Mom, and Dad, with incredible strength and confidence at a time when liver transplants were fairly new and the outcomes unknown. She often said that her liver was the healthiest part of her, and we continued on for 27 well lived years before she began feeling a little tired, a little winded, and the mitral valve replacement was to be the fix. She never forgot the selfless act of the unknown donor family who saved her life all of those years ago, and never forgot to remind people of the importance of organ donation.
Hug a little longer today, laugh a little harder, and enjoy a big glass of well chilled, white wine. Mom would be doing the same thing. She is now with her twin sister and loving parents, and a celebration of her beautiful life will be held at a later date, hopefully sooner than later, when a larger number of friends can be safely allowed. Please if you are able, monetary donations sent in her honor would be appreciated to the UHKF (Kingston Health Sciences Center), or our local KFL&A United Way. Yet most importantly, invite someone in who may need a friend.
