Kathleen Marie Ireland (Turpie)

Kathleen Marie Ireland (Turpie)

October 6, 1952- January 20, 2020

As published in the February 24, 2020 World-Spectator

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Kathleen will be forever missed by her lifelong love John Ireland, brother Ken Turpie (Anna), brother Keith Turpie, sister Diane Jamieson (Darcy), and honourary sister Myrtle Chambers; sister-in-law Cheryl Mckenzie (Ken), brother-in-law Ric Ireland (Dinah), brother-in-law Ken Ireland (Rita); Uncle Laurance Turpie (Doreen); nephews and nieces Angie, Corey, Kelsey (Stacy), Tyson, Devon (Meagan), Cheyenne, Levi, Barbara, Sondra (Jason), Tarra (Ryan), Courtney (Keenan), Aaron, Kimberly, Christopher (Chaeryn); and great-nieces and nephews Karson (Sierra), Montana, Gaige, Hayden, McKenna, Kayla, Jordan, Breigh, Bryson, Cole; as well as many cousins and friends old and new.

Kathleen is predeceased by her father Angus Turpie, mother Irene Turpie, father-in-law Jack Ireland, mother-in-law Mae Louise Ireland; as well as Uncle Don Turpie, uncle Bill and aunt Irene Buckland, aunt Norma-Jean and uncle Steve Leskiw, aunt Elva Turpie.

Kathleen Turpie was born and raised in Moosomin, Saskachewan. She attended school there until she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1970. She continued her studies at the University of Saskatoon taking Education for three years. Kathleen and John met during the summer of 1972 in Saskatoon while she was attending University. They were married on the Turpie Family Farm on July 26, 1975. Kathleen and John lived in Saskatoon for a couple of years before moving to Kitimat, B.C. where she worked in the School Board Office. They moved to Terrace, B.C. a couple years later and it was there that she started her own business of Northern Accents Gifts and Gallery Ltd.

In 1994, Kathleen and John packed up and headed to Central Alberta in search of a new place. By the end of summer in 1994 they had found and purchased an acreage at Meeting Creek. This is the only place in all their travels that Kathleen truly considered “Home”, besides of course the family farm in Moosomin. Kathleen started with Bethany Group doing contract jobs and worked her way into full time as their scheduling coordinator. Many new friendships were formed during her years with Bethany Group.

From 2007-2010 Kathleen also held the position of Councillor with Camrose County serving on boards such as Buffalo Lake Water Management and Bashaw Seed Cleaning Plant. She invested wholly as a Councillor and was very proud of the things the County accomplished during her time on board.

Kathleen loved adventure and travelling. In January of 2013, she combined both these passions when she ziplined the Bootleg Canyon in Las Vegas. A series of four ziplines starting atop Red Mountain 3,800 feet above sea level and spanning across a mile and a half of Canyon.

Kathleen retired in 2017 to continue fulfilling her passion for adventure. She loved going for motorcycle rides with John, her favorite biker. In the fall of 2019 Kathleen and John purchased a motorhome and ventured out on a few test camping trips. She loved sitting having coffee and relaxing in each campsite or even when it was just parked in their yard.

Kathleen had a huge heart for others. She was always mindful of the less fortunate, proud and supportive of Veterans and lived with a pay it forward attitude.

Kathleen’s sudden and unexpected passing propels us to live life the way she did, thinking more of others than she did of herself.

Celebration of Kathleen’s Life was held February 2, 2020, 1:30 pm at the Meeting Creek Community Center, Meeting Creek, Alta. There will also be a Celebration of Life held in Moosomin, Sask., at a later date.
Special thanks to Bashaw and Ponoka EMS, Bashaw RCMP, Bashaw Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept and Wilson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathleen’s memory to: Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Cancer Society, or a Charity of your Choice.


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