Tribute

Born 1943, died peacefully February 28th, 2022 at the Lady Minto Hospital.

Kathleen (Kathie) was a beloved daughter, wife and mother. Devoted to her family, Kathie provided a lifetime of love, support, and inspiration to her children and grandchildren. Kathie was endlessly creative. A theatre designer, dressmaker, miniature maker, and fine artist, she infused her artistic practice not only into her professional work, but into every aspect of her and her family’s life.

Kathleen did much of her growing up as a ‘service brat’ on RCAF Station Rockcliffe in Ottawa with her parents, Wing Commander Wayne Pearce and Marguerite Pearce, and her sister Patricia. She attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute and graduated from Rideau High School. As a youngster she had wonderful and formative experiences with the Ottawa Little Theatre, and studied at the Ontario College of Art. In 1964 she had a gallery exhibition of her fine art.

Moving to the West Coast with her family in 1974, Kathleen made many contributions to youth and community theatre in Vancouver.  She was instrumental in developing the Richmond Youth Choir in the 1980s and many Lower Mainland children learnt singing and acting under her direction of full Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. She also designed and made the astonishing sets and costumes for these productions on almost no budget. Kathie directed and taught musical theatre to children and young people with her dear friend, music teacher Valerie Brown. She was a dedicated production team member of the Greater Vancouver Operatic Society, taught stagecraft to young people at the Jewish Community Centre and assisted the Goh Ballet Academy with sets and costumes, particularly designing and building a beautiful set for The Fairy Doll. Kathie also worked periodically over two decades as a designer and illustrator for a national advertising agency.

After her children grew up, Kathleen attended the University of British Columbia as a mature student to study Theatre Arts. Her faculty was so impressed with her degree work that she was invited to take her masters on scholarship but breast cancer prevented her from doing this. Later on Salt Spring, Kathie crafted beautiful miniature theatres, puppets and dolls. She was a talented gardener and a passionate and meticulous family historian and genealogist. She was gentle, warm, disarming and curious, and made remarkable connections and friendships with people wherever she went.

She is survived by her husband Roger; sister Patricia (Tom Hood); children Jeffrey (Angel), Steven (Leah), Aimee and Wendy (Russell); beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family, and dearly cherished friends. Kathie adored being a grandmother; first to Kate and Andrew, then blessed by Alysha, Cameron, and Tyler, and lastly to Adelaide and Marguerite.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathleen’s name to a performing arts groups in your community.

A memorial celebration will be held later in the Spring.