Kathleen Mary McNamara Clancy
May 11, 1921 – December 19, 2013
Kathleen Mary McNamara Clancy
Kathleen passed away at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre on Thursday, December 19, 2013 in her 93rd year. Kathleen was the beloved wife of the late Paul G. Clancy and loving mother of Mary Beth Worthington (David), Patricia Quinlan (James), Paula Clancy (Jennifer Moses), Gregory (Debbie), Kevin, Brian, Margot Brown and Colleen Clancy (Wayne Stevens). She is dearly loved and will be deeply missed by her many grand and great grandchildren. She was dear sister of Gene McNamara (late Betty), the late Joan Thomson (Howard) and Pat McMullen (George). A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church, 65 Amelia St., Barrie, on Monday, December 23, 2013, at 10 am. If desired, memorial donations can be made to Covenant House would be appreciated. Condolences can be forwarded to www.steckleygooderham.com.
Kathleen was born in Toronto in 1921 to Joseph and Irene McNamara. She was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1943 she graduated from St Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing. In 1946 she earned her certificate in Public Health Nursing from the University of Toronto. She worked for the St. Elizabeth Visiting Nurses Association of Ontario until 1950. Kathleen married Paul Clancy on February 4, 1950 and their first child was born in December 1950. Her 7th child was born in May 1960 somehow not interfering with her graduation from Earl Haig Collegiate Institute in June. With her grade 13 certificates in hand; she qualified for admissions to the Atkinson College for Mature and Part-Time Students at York University in its inaugural year of 1962. Her 8th (last) child was born in January that same year. Kathleen went back to work in public health at York Regional Health Unit in 1966 and worked until retirement at the age of 65. She continued her studies at Atkinson College earning two undergraduate degrees with an emphasis in Canadian and Irish studies. Although her husband passed away early into her retirement, he always remained close to her in spirit.
As a mother, Kathleen brought her worldly knowledge and varied interests to her children and we always knew that both she and Paul embraced us with love and unconditional acceptance.
With her intellectual independence left unchallenged, she met aging with grace and dignity. A woman of her time yet ahead of her time she was wife, mother, student, teacher, mentor, and sage. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.