KATHERINE BAYLEY
The family of Katharine Joyce Bayley would like to share that Katharine passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2023 in Welland, Ontario, at the age of 87.
Katharine Joyce Manning was born on Aug 19, 1936. She was the youngest of five children born to John and Ethel Manning. Katharine grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario.
She met husband Julian (predeceased) and was married on Sept 15, 1956. Their children were raised in Deep River and Kincardine; they also lived for a time in Bowmanville.
Katharine is survived by her three sons: John (Kathy), Andrew (Rachel) and Jeff (Bev), daughter Karen and six grandchildren.
She was a loving spouse to husband Julian, a nurturing mother and grandmother, and she enjoyed the company of her friends. Katharine was fascinated with the natural wonders of the boreal forest of the Ottawa Valley. She was a creative person and during the Deep River years she opened the loft of their rustic Ottawa river home to an artistic group casually named “The Escape Artists”.
Katharine was an early activist in the protection of our natural environment and had actively supported the rights of special needs children in the province of Ontario. She was a traveller, an avid bird watcher, a writer, poet, piano player, painter and was active in the Stephen Lewis-sponsored “Grannies for Africa” movement.
She was a mentor, a friend to many and a model Canadian citizen. We are thankful for her life and legacy.
Katharine Bayley was a good friend of ours when she lived in Kincardine with her husband, Julian and their children. We were always welcome at the Bayley “farm” on Durham Street. Both Katharine and Julian were instrumental in helping other local volunteers expand the programs and outreach of Community Living Kincardine and District at that time.
We will always remember Katharine for her tireless advocacy for special needs children, her marvellous sense of humour, her very kind nature, and many talents. Our family was very fortunate to have Katharine as our friend while she lived in Kincardine. Our deepest condolences to John, Andrew, Jeff and Karen.
Doug and Anne Eadie
With sadness, we say goodbye to one of our long-time volunteers at the Rolph Buchanan, Wylie and McKay Historical Society and School House Museum, Katherine Bailey. She and her husband, the late Julien, were involved in many activities and projects at the School House Museum, Laurentian Hills, Ontario—our condolences to the family.
http://www.schoolhousemuseum.ca