CATHERINE ‘KAY’ JOHNSON

Catherine Rita Helen “Kay” Johnson (nee McCafferty) passed away peacefully in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Thursday, March 27, 2003.
Kay was born Dec. 31, 1920 in Winnipeg, Man. to Henry and Florence (Kelly) McCafferty. The family moved to Fort Frances, Ont. in 1926, where Kay received her elementary and secondary school education.
Following her high school graduation, she went to Fort William, Ont. to work as an office clerk at Canada Car during the war years and later taught business subjects at St. Patrick’s High School.
In June, 1944, she married Alvin Johnson, and together they raised a family of three daughters. He predeceased her on Jan. 4, 1980.
Kay enjoyed playing bridge and viewing the natural beauty of Northwestern Ontario. She shared a love of all the creative arts, especially live theatre productions.
In her younger years, she was an active member of the CWL and PTA, and enjoyed oil painting, sewing, and bowling.
She was a firm believer in life-long learning and her family will miss her interesting insights on a variety of topics—from health and politics to fashion and interior design.
Kay will be remembered by her three daughters, Cheryl (Fred) Bickford, Kathy (Alasdair) Smith, and Rosemary (Terry) Jorgenson; and her eight grandchildren, Sean, Leanne, and Rob Bickford; Kelly, Murray, Allison, and Erin Smith, and Paul Jorgenson.
She also is survived by her sister, Teresa Stefansson of Winnipeg, Man.; and nephew, Rex McCafferty of the Cayman Islands.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Al; her brother and sister-in-law, Jerome (Hank) and Jean McCafferty; and her brother-in-law, Ken Stefansson.
A private funeral mass was celebrated by Fr. David Gillen at noon on Saturday, March 29, 2003 at St. Joseph’s Heritage Chapel. Burial has taken place in the family plot at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Attending from out-of town were Rob Bickford, Kingston; Paul Jorgenson, Ottawa; Kelly Smith, Minneapolis; Allison Smith, Toronto; James McCarron, North Bay; and Teresa Stefansson and Joan Bickford of Winnipeg.
Should friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Care Group or charity of their choice.
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