December 31, 1952 – March 20, 2017
I can’t tell you in a few words what Katherine meant to us. A flame burns at the centre of any loving family. For our family, Katherine was the keeper of that flame. She loved us without limit. When we hurt, she made it better. When we dreamt of something, she moved mountains to make that dream come true. Her greatest joy was making us happy. When our memories of family started to fade, she rekindled them: she was our family historian and archivist, uncovering our lineage and preserving priceless memories of our past with her albums and videos. She was the spirit of generosity at Christmas, of ghouls and goblins at Halloween. She adored us, making us feel special, safe and loved. She was our family’s beacon, showing us the way home.
Now her light has gone out. Katherine died on March 20, 2017 of complications from a failed kidney transplant. Her last days were spent at St. Joseph’s hospital in Hamilton. But her best days were spent in Brooklyn, New York, Old Field, Long Island, and Dundas, Ontario. She was so many things: wife of Jim; mother of Jason and Preston; mother-in-love of Catriona, doting Nana of Beatrice and Callum; adoring daughter of William and Rosemary; sister of Diana, Richard and Laurie. Her heart and home found room for the shabbiest abandoned dogs, sometimes five at a time. She had the soul and the touch of an artist: her incandescent stained glass pieces grace shops and homes across Ontario. She leaves behind her “stained glass support group” – students she taught, friends she loved. She also leaves behind her wonderful group of friends collected at every stop along the way: Ward Melville, Park Slope, Montclair and Dundas.
Katherine was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 31, 1952. She leaves us now at 64 years old. Far too soon. It hurts to think of a future without her.
Later this spring, Katherine’s family will be holding a celebration of her life for friends and family. In lieu of flowers we encourage donations to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation of Canada (www.endpkd.ca). Our family is grateful to the dedicated, caring team of doctors and nurses at the St. Joseph’s Renal Transplant Unit who worked tirelessly trying to bring Katherine home again.
My heart is broken. Katherine taught me stain glass and I helped teach her to make movies on her mac. Her talent and beauty will forever be with me. Rest in peace.
Katherine – the wind beneath so many wings. So few words are able to describe Katherine in a justifiable way. To know Katherine and be in her presence was akin to time standing still and embracing every moment to the fullest. A radiant smile always present and a heart that just kept on giving. So many wonderful memories along the years. The pride, love and adoration she had for her family was palpable. Katherine’s creativity was endless with her inspirations and her passion to share was selfless. Remember the hairdo with the lights? So refreshing, so honest, so Katherine. Katherine had a knack for making people feel special and beautiful. I know she made me feel that way many times. Oh how I will miss you my friend. God must have needed a master stain glass artist to consult with while making Heaven as radiant and as inviting as possible. You have been taken too soon but I do believe I will see you again but until then, I will have good memories to look back on. Jim, Jason and Preston, we all know how much Katherine loved you but it has always been obvious how much you loved and adored Katherine also and I know that is eternal. Much love to all of you.
Good bye Katherine. Thank you for teaching me to brighten the world through the art of stained glass. The angels needed your humour and a way to lighten their stay. Peace to Jim and family.
Katherine-I was only lucky enough to meet you a few times, the love that you showed for your family was evident in the way Jim always spoke of you. I know your family will miss you dearly. To Jim, Jason, Preston and family-I know this is a very difficult time for your family and it is difficult to find any joy in such trying times. Remember all the good times Katherine brought to you and share her stories with your friends and loved ones. You may not see her, but she will ALWAYS be with you. May God Bless your soul, Katherine!
Jim and Family,
Please accept our most sincere condolences. We can only imagine how difficult this time is for you all having lost such a wonderful light in your life. We never were lucky enough to meet Katherine, however, we knew how wonderful she was everytime I heard Jim talk with her on the phone and about her spirit. Hold tight to the memories and Katherine will continue to be with you and help you during your grief. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all.
Dear Jim,
Laura and I send our deepest condolences in your hour of grief. I remember our conversations at work where you expressed deep love, affection and admiration for Katherine. I am sorry for your great loss because she sounds like a wonderful person. May God comfort you and your family through this difficult time and may her spirit abide in His presence.
Please let me express my sincere condolences for your terrible loss. My thoughts are with your family during this most difficult time.
My friend Jim and family,
I knew you for not very long but our respect was heartfelt and mutual as was our experience. I wish you all the very best as you search for peace from your missing flame. I was never fortunate enough to share her presence but I heard her heart in my colleague’s voice. I’m sorry it has taken so long for me to find the words but best wishes my friend to you and your family!
Dear Jim and family.
Juliet and I pass along our dearest and deepest sympathies to all of you during this time. Our thoughts are with you all!
Take care
Jason and Juliet
Jim and family
So sorry for your loss. Hope you can find peace and comfort in this trying time.
Jim, sorry to hear of your loss. I can’t imagine the void it must bring. Thinking of you and your family.
Although no words of sympathy can ease your loss, we hope that good friends surround you with love. May good memories of happy times, joyful smiles and hearty laughter bring you peace and renew your strength. Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers as you grieve.
Jim,
We are deeply sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved wife. We had the pleasure of meeting her in Niagara during the convention. She was lovely, her spirit lit up the room! Please know we are thinking of you.
Sincerely, Christine and Vaughn
sorry for your families loss Jim… deepest condolences.
Jim, I am gutted to hear the bad news . A tremendous loss, I am so sorry for you and your family. Hang in there, be strong, stay strong.
On June 8th, 1980, Kathy’s brother Richard and I were married in the living room of her home in Park Slope NY. It was not an easy day, juggling the unexpected street closures of the Puerto Rican Day Parade and other family issues, the timing was off and happiness seemed more than a stones throw away. But Kathy made it all so very wonderful. We were without any money for a bouquet but she had the loviest white roses and garnet red ribbon and did her best to make my dream come true. But that was always Kathy, give her a project and a few simple pieces of material to work with and she created beauty. She had imagination, creativity and vision.
Kathy remains in my mind’s eye and in my heart forever.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Jim, hoping you all find peace and comfort in your memories and may she rest in peace.
My beautiful friend. ….I am beyond saddened for everyone who knew your golden heart. I will never be able to repay you for your friendship , your voice of reason and your never ending lessons on love, friendship, family and life in general. You were gifted with always being able to see thru things that were not always how they appeared , and you woulld do so never while losing sight of
the important things. You were my confidant and my soul sister who’s guidance I will forever cherish. I am at a loss for words and feel as if the next step i take will be in a direction that leads to emptiness. Jim, Jason , Preston,,,it’s no secret how much love and admiration this beautiful women had for all of you. To Rich, Diana, and Laurie , I can only say I am so very sorry as the loss of a sibling leaves a scar that softens only with talk of the memories and good times. God Bless you all again , as he did when this beautiful life first lit up the room. I will never forget any of you ❤
Beautiful tribute for a beautiful lady.We are so sad to lose her — but think how Bill and Rosemary and West and Margaret and Dwight and all the family that has been saving her a place at the family table on the other side are preparing her welcome!
Jim, I’m sorry to hear about your dear “Doll” passing. You always called her that on the phone in the TMU.
God bless and stay strong.
Jim and Maggie
Dear neighbour Jim and family, thinking of you and sending love at this time of your great loss. Rashne & Brian Baetz
Oh no … I am so so sorry Jim .. I am shocked. I didn’t know she was sick. I lived in Dundas and was part of Katherine’s stained glass group. How I loved spending time with her. She took me under her wing many times through my pregnancy.. telling me what was just a cramp and when it was time to go to the hospital. She took care of my beloved Ben when I went to Ireland. I stayed with her when my relationship failed. She helped me find a new home for my little baby and I. She even helped me move in to my place. I live in Paris now and often wonder how she is doing. I am so sad and can’t imagine how her family is feeling She was a beacon of light I will always remember her and cherish the projects that we completed together.
Dear.
This family interests me. If only I was blessed sooner to meet these wonderful people i could have had the opportunity to of met Katherine. She has raised an incredible son of hers. Intelligent, gorgeous man with a big heart. I am sure he has all the qualitys Katherine has passed on.
Love; Charlene.
OMG
I’m so gutted to just learning of the loss of Kathy. Jim you may not remember this but my Mom Cynthia worked for Kathy’s parents in Stony Brook. We were even at Richard’s wedding at your home. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. Diana, Richard and her other sibling escapes me now. I did call her parents when my Mom died but it was difficult to jar their memory. Kathy and the Bonnifield family were wonderful to my Mom and me.
I hope it dies not seem inappropriate to post something so late, but I only just learned of Katherine’s passing when I looked her up because I wanted to ask permission to give her credit for a photo of the beautiful window she made for me that I decided to include on my website. I wanted to see if I could find her number and also make sure that I spelled her name correctly (the e in the right place in Wakely) and was SO shocked to see her obituary come up. I knew that she had previously experienced health problems (which she mentioned but underplayed the last time I talked to her) but I had no idea that she had passed. She died 5 weeks before my husband Peter did in 2017.
I hope it’s alright if even at this late date I express my deepest condolences to Jim and their beautiful family, which I know was everything to Katherine.
I was just one of so many people that took stained glass with Katherine and so was blessed by spending wonderful hours with this precious lady. Her beauty, both internal and external were remarkable. Her patience and enthusiasm for beginner students was inspiring. I still live with the lovely pieces she helped me make, including a suncatcher commemorating my first date with my husband and a window that hangs in my office and symbolizes self worth which is often so hard to achieve for young women (which I was at the time.)
But the most incredible reminder of her is the astonishingly beautiful window she made for me, commissioned by my husband as a gift when I achieved Final Fellowship in ministry. It is simply amazing.
Although my memories of that time are more than 20 years old, I continue to be inspired by the works of her hands and my memories of a wonderful person.
❤️