August 9, 1927 - May 2, 2020
1927-2020 ~ It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Kathleen Swift, (Gaetz, nee Butler).
Kay passed away peacefully in the Red Deer Hospital on May 2, 2020 with family at her side.
Kay was born in Red Deer on August 9, 1927. She was raised on the farm west of Red Deer on the Red Deer river where some members of the family still reside.
She is predeceased by her first husband, William Gaetz, second husband Melvin Swift, her parents George and Kathleen Butler, her brother John (Edna) Butler, her grandson Steven Chalmers and a stepdaughter Debbie Swift. She is survived by her six daughters, Sheryl (Vern) Schmuland, Dianne (Doug) Lutz, Patricia Gaetz, Barbara (Greg) McMaster, Rae-Lynn (Darwin) Gaetz, and Cathy (Art) Giesbrecht, two step children Don (Terry) Swift, Donna (Craig) Cates, 19 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.
Kay had a wonderful spirit and made the most of her 33,870 days on this earth. She faced any adversity in her life with incredible strength and grace. She is proof that you don't have to be a Nobel Prize winner to change the world. She made an impact on everyone she came into contact with and she was loved by many people.
We will never forget her laughter, her kindness, her strength and most of all, her love. She told us that she wished to thank everyone who shared a smile, a laugh or a hug with her in life and she bids them a fond farewell. As the song goes "You were an angel in the shape of our mom.....when we fell down you'd be there holding us up....Spread your wings ....and we know that when God took you back He said Hallelujah.......you're home."
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the staff on Unit 22 at the Red Deer Hospital, especially Kathy and Blaine, who went above and beyond to make the last day of her life very special for her and her grandchildren. We will announce and hold a celebration of Kay's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Kay's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to an animal shelter of your choice.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.eventidefuneralchapels.com
Eventide Funeral Chapel