December 20, 1930 – August 12, 2023

 

Kay died in Vernon, B.C. on Saturday August 12. She leaves behind Judd, her beloved husband of over 71 years; her three children, Grant (Claudia), Gregg (Jenna) and James (Griz); her nine grandchildren Judd, Fraser, Spencer, Chandler, Sawyer, Samantha (Kurtis Giommi), Scott, Erica and Jackie. She is also survived by James’ former spouse, Sarah Oliver, the mother of Samantha, Scott and Erica. Kay was predeceased by her brothers Sigurd and Jim.

Born in Edmonton in 1930, she moved repeatedly with her parents (Harry Ezra Balfour and Gerda Balfour) as a child. She attended Westglen High School and University High School in Edmonton, Lisgar Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, and Bishop Strachan School in Toronto. She returned to Edmonton to earn her Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Alberta. She married Judd and moved with him to London, Ontario. There they spent the next 15 years before Judd was elected as the M.P. of London West and the family moved to Ottawa.

In her 40s, she earned her law degree at the University of Ottawa while raising her children and supporting Judd in his political career. She articled at Honeywell, Wotherspoon in Ottawa but in 1980 moved with Judd to Calgary where she practised oil and gas law with McLeod Dixon. She enjoyed oil and gas law, especially title searching (“it’s like a jigsaw puzzle, there’s always an answer”). Later, when she and Judd moved to Victoria, she worked with the Ministry of B.C.’s Attorney General. Eventually, Kay retired and she and Judd divided their time between Victoria and Silver Star Mountain.

She loved movies, Premier League football, jigsaw puzzles, white wine (any kind of wine, actually), sugar with a little bit of coffee, meals she didn’t have to cook, and travelling.  She was always full of stories whenever she and Judd would return from one of their trips.

Judd was at the centre of Mom’s life. They were clearly each other’s best friend. Their romance began with a coffee at the beginning of their University of Alberta years and survived Judd braving the elements while walking over the High Level Bridge in Edmonton when he would miss the last streetcar (she lived on the South Side while he was a North Sider). They laughed and loved for more than 75 years (if you count the four years of courtship before they were married). She always said that her proudest accomplishment in life was her family. And now she is gone, and with her so many stories of a life well-lived.

We would like to thank Daljit Pabla in Victoria and Debbie Sigalet at Silver Star for their care and affection for Kay in her last years.

Cremation has occurred. A celebration of her life will take place at a future time and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, and if desired, donations can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MS claimed the life of Kay’s brother Jim) at https://mscanada.ca/

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com