September 18, 1939 – May 8, 2024
With great sadness, we bid farewell to our beloved Kathleen who passed away peacefully on May 8, 2024 with family by her side, leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of warmth and kindness.
Kathleen was born in Addingham, England, on September 18, 1939, to William and Gertrude Smith. The younger sister to Anne and Margaret, Kathleen had the dubious honour of being the village’s first war baby. As a child and teenager, Kathleen attended the Ilkley Grammar School; later, as a young lady, she completed her education at Secretarial College in Harrogate. In 1963, Kathleen married the love of her life, Richard Ellum. Five years later, Kathleen and Richard emigrated to Canada, ultimately settling on an acreage between Okotoks and High River in 1976. On the acreage they raised their two sons and built not one, but two houses. After 45 years on the acreage, Kathleen and Richard moved into Okotoks in 2021. In 2023 Kathleen and Richard celebrated 60 years of marriage in the company of the many friends they had made in the Okotoks and the surrounding area. Kathleen’s warmth and sparkle illuminated every room she entered. Working as support staff in the education system she completed her career in the office at the Foothills Composite High School where she was known for her proficiency and reliability. Kathleen had a love for singing and sang soprano for several choirs over the years, most recently with the Foothills Philharmonic Society.
Physically active later in life, she enjoyed going to the gym, walking, and running, and even participated in a few 5 km events! An avid baker, Kathleen was well known for her traditional Christmas Cakes. Most of all, Kathleen enjoyed family gatherings and celebrating her children and grandchildren’s lives.
Kathleen will be lovingly remembered as a strong and feisty woman by her husband, Richard; children, Sean and Cameron; daughters-in-law, Debbie and Lynn;
grandchildren, Sophie, Caitlin, and Cassie; and sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Leslie Allinson. We mourn terribly her loss, but we also celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the profound impact she had on each of us.
A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at 3pm on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Okotoks Alliance Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Canadian Cancer Society in honour of Kathleen.
