Robertson; Katharine “Kate” (nee Cook)
Passed away peacefully at the Lennox & Addington County General Hospital on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at age 86. Beloved wife of the late William "Bill" (2016), and loving mother of Laurie Robertson of Erinsville, Jamie (Emily) of Mississauga, Doug (Ann-Marie) of Ottawa and Mike (Laura) of Oakville. Cherished grandma of Sarah, Tristan, Emma, Sabrina, Matthew, John and Alice. Katharine’s parents were Elburn and Margaret Cook of Forest Mills.
Katharine grew up on a farm in the hamlet of Forest Mills, north of Napanee. Katharine attended primary school in Selby where her mother, Margaret Cook, was a school teacher. Katharine graduated from Napanee High School and then attended Queen’s University for Nursing. She maintained lifelong friendships with her N.Sc. ’59 classmates who remembered her for her great sense of humour, pranks, and poems. It was at Queen’s where Katharine met Bill Robertson, a former RCAF Air Force pilot and mature Engineering Student (SCI ’63).
Katharine started her nursing career working in Kingston General Hospital (KGH) before marrying Bill on October 7, 1961. They relocated to Calgary for Bill’s work, although with great apprehension by Katharine, who said she would “try it out for a year”. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Laurie in 1964, they moved to Edmonton. It was there they began to put down roots, making new friends, and connecting with old friends that had also moved West. In Edmonton, Katharine and Bill added to the family welcoming, Jamie, Doug and Mike. Katharine and Bill were avid sports fans with seasons tickets to the Edmonton Eskimos (now the Elk) and, with three boys in minor hockey, they also became fans of the local team, the Edmonton Oilers.
In 1990, with all the kids through high school and Bill taking early retirement, Katharine and Bill moved back to Forest Mills to take over Katharine’s parents’ farm. Katharine rejoined the community of her youth and enjoyed living close by once again to her childhood and lifelong friend, Shirley Boston, whom she regarded as a sister. Katharine played an active role in the rural communities of Forest Mills and Roblin as a stalwart member of the Roblin United Church and through such activities as canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“The farm” as it was known to the family, played a central role when it became the gathering place for Katharine and Bill’s children and grandchildren throughout the years to celebrate holidays and birthdays. Katharine, always thinking of others, continued to connect with her children and all her grandchildren with a timely card for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions.
Sadly, Katharine lost her beloved Bill in 2016, but she remained on the farm, on her own terms, until the end. Katharine was a good mother, grandmother, and friend. She was loved and will be missed.
The family will receive friends at the Wartman Funeral Home, Napanee on Monday, March 13 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 1 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Interment Camden V Cemetery following. Donations in memory of Katharine to the Canadian Lung Association or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be forwarded through www.wartmanfuneralhomes.com