1928 – 2022
Matriarch of the Turner Clan, Katherine was a birder, a dreamer, an environmentalist, a fitness devotee, a lover of the Arctic Coast and its people, a party & safari planner, a philanthropist, a preserver of family lore, a puzzler, a reader, a supporter of the Arts, a teacher, a tree hugger and counter, a walker and long-distance hiker, and a world traveller.
Katherine was the second youngest of the 7 children of Howard & Minnie Turner of Whitevale ON. Her siblings were Ken Turner, Helen Gough, Marjorie Webster, David Turner, Alice Lapp and Bill Turner.
Katherine was much loved and admired by her nieces, nephews and their families. They include Elizabeth Turner, John Turner, Mary Murray, David William Turner (2012), Bob Dempster (2011), Jo Anne Beiler, Ron Webster, Jane Webster, David Sylvester Turner (2013), Bryon Turner, Shawn Turner, Lloyd Turner, Eleanor Hrabi, David Lapp, Wendy Moriarty, Debbie Kilpatrick, Will Turner and Kim Iwamoto.
Distant cousins Lois & Jack MacInnes of Palmerston and Norma & Karsten Hundborg in Denmark became dear friends. Katherine was privileged to be godmother to James Welsh.
Katherine worked to put herself through medical school, graduating in 1957 from The University of Toronto. She joined a general practice in Leaside but soon Alberta beckoned and Katherine accepted a position on the staff at the Dobson Clinic in Grande Prairie. She returned to Ontario in 1971 to study pathology. Katherine was on the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London until her retirement in 1992.
Katherine treasured her many dear friends especially Nancy Tuttle, Margrieta Edels, Grace Lumbers (2020), Terry Needham & Marilyn Kertoy, Lavarre Clark, Daisy McCallum and Jackie Lutz. All travelled with Katherine and tried to keep up. She enthusiastically participated in Nature London, the London District Weavers & Spinners guild, Bosom Buddies, fitness classes at The Mount, Senior Alumni lectures, the London Symphonia and live theatre.
Katherine was the loving and devoted partner of Dr. James (Jay) R. Anderson (2022). His children David, James, Ian and Audrey Anderson and their families brought her much joy.
We will miss her love and non-judgemental support. She was affectionate, feisty, generous, frugal, determined and a romantic. Her laughter resonates. She has enriched our lives profoundly. There are so many wonderful memories.
We are grateful to her gentle caregiver Coleen from Home Instead. Katherine received wonderful care from the amazing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London.
Katherine’s ashes will be scattered on her cottage property in the fall.
For those wanting to make a memorial donation, please consider a charity of your choice or The Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Katherine was a kind, generous and engaging woman. I enjoyed my conversations with her over the years and was often inspired by her plans for her ‘next adventure’. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I knew Katherine from our 8:15 fitness class at the CCAA in the Mount. At nearly 30 years my senior, she could outpace me – we called her the Energizer Bunny (not an original moniker, but she really could speed walk!). She was an inspiration. And a hoot!
my deep condolences to her family and friends.
Hi from Scotland, I had the pleasure to know Katherine in 2001 on a trek in the Himalayas. I am same age as Katherine was then but impossible for me to achieve what she did! Her stamina – she had more than the younger ones in our group! It would have been a lot easier in Scotland when she visited! We kept in touch all these years as I fell in love with Nepal and still visit regularly – no trekking though – visiting my ‘adopted family’. It has been a pleasure to have met Katherine and I tell everyone about her. Such an inspiration to me. I am sad but I will treasure the lovely memories of her. She will be missed by so many people and that is the legacy she left. You will always be in so many peoples hearts.
Thank you for the pleasure you gave to me and others.
Katherine was a mentor and an inspiration for me when I joined the London District Weavers and Spinners Guild in the 1990s. She was President of the Guild (twice!) at a time when it was not easy to find members willing to take a leadership role. We attended many workshops together and I will always remember her excitement when she produced a weaving sample that pleased her or a special colour from a dye pot. I will miss her gentle and creative spirit.
Kathy was one of my first teachers in dermatopathology when I was a resident in London in 1988, She was such a great teacher, always calm and positive and I learned so much from her. I was able to reconnect with her when I moved back to London. Kathy was a great example of great intellect with a zest for life, My deepest sympathies to her family. Caroline Horgan-Bell and family
Katherine and I shared many interests including our careers as Pathologists in London, enjoyment of music and theatre, enthusiastic participation in exercise classes at “The Mount”, and leisurely lunches in our retired lives. My life was enriched by having known her!
Katherine, you will be deeply missed. I loved running into you and Guild meetings and was thrilled to know you were still as vigorous as ever despite the cancer. I wish you great peace and a fine well deserved rest!
I only knew Katherine for a short while but she became a welcomed member of the Anderson family. Quite a remarkable woman. Sincere sympathies to all the family.
Mary K. Anderson
Niece of Jay Anderson
I admired my great-aunt so much. I admired her spirit, her strength, her life, her power, her temperament. She was a personality- a special and precious person. I enjoyed the times I was able to share with her. My thoughts are with her loved ones. Alexandra Jane Webster
I have many fond memories of chatting with Katherine at Nature London meetings. She ably replaced me as club president and lead meetings with her whit and easy style. I admired her independence and willingness to take on new roles at any age! Condolences to her extended family and friends.
My wife Grace and I are saddened to hear of Katherine’s passing, though very thankful to have met her, to enjoy her great hospitality, and to engage in stimulating conversation with her.
We met Katherine through her relationship with Dr. James (Jay) Anderson, who was a member of the church in Ottawa where I serve as Minister. Even though Dr. Anderson had moved away from Ottawa in 1997, he maintained his connection with the church over all these years and I was pleased to get acquainted with him since 2015. When Jay moved to London, I was blessed to be introduced to Katherine, and we enjoyed numerous conversations over the years, in-person, over the phone, and via email. I remember engaging conversations with her and James about so many things, including medicine, philosophy, politics, religion and nature.
Jay and Katherine both seemed to happy and blessed to have reconnected after all these years and to enjoy one another’s company in this last season of both their lives.
My condolences to all of Katherine’s nieces, nephews and other relatives. May you cherish many good memories. And may some of Katherine’s love and zest for life continue through yours!
Jim & Grace Pot
James E. Pot
Minister, Knox Presbyterian Church
120 Lisgar Street, Ottawa
knoxottawa.ca