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KATHRYN (KAY) VIOLET CONDRA (ROBERTSON)
Date of Passing: Feb 16, 2022
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KATHRYN (KAY) VIOLET CONDRA
(nee ROBERTSON)
1934 - 2022
On February 16, Kay passed away at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 87.
She is survived by her three children, John Michael, Katie (Rob Macdonald) and Jill (Jim Hamm), and four grandchildren, Zoë, Olivia and Hazel Macdonald and Andrew Hamm. She will be lovingly remembered, especially by her many Robertson nieces and nephews and the amazing friends she had all over the world.
Kay was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the River Heights area, where she attended local schools Grosvenor, Robert H. Smith, and Kelvin, before attaining her Home Economics degree at the University of Manitoba. It was while attending the University that she met her husband of 52 years, John Condra. She acquired her teaching credentials and started her first Home Economics teaching job at Transcona Collegiate. Upon John's graduation from law school in 1959, they sailed across the Atlantic and embarked on a two-month European sojourn in a rented "upholstered roller-skate" (i.e., a cute but rather powerless Citroën). In the 1960s they moved to Montreal, where she taught at the Town of Mount Royal High School, and then Toronto where she was a full-time mother to son Michael. In 1966 they chose to return to Winnipeg where Katie and Jill were born in quick succession and she devoted her time to her three children for the next ten years. At that time Kay and John owned and operated The House of Cheese on Spence Street in the late 1960s. Kay returned to teaching in the late 1970s and spent over 20 years at Balmoral Hall School where she taught cooking then English to many girls who will always know how to make baking powder biscuits and bring Shakespeare to life because of her! She loved teaching and was always so happy to hear the latest about her former students. She also adored her fellow teachers and continued to meet up frequently for lunch until recently.
Kay never thought of herself as a 'joiner' but she was in fact a huge part of so many organizations and groups including the Junior Leagues (followed by the Swans), Meals on Wheels, volunteering as a tutor/mentor at Gordon Bell School, Ladies of the Street Choir and, of course, The Book Club that began meeting in the 1970s and continue to have raucous lunches every third Thursday of the month (book talk optional). She was a proud supporter of local arts groups, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery, where she volunteered in the Art Rental department, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. There were many early-1980s summer soirées following Ballet in the Park performances that were planned and presided over by Kay. In her 70s, after her tap-dancing classes ended, she joined a dance aerobics class instead and joyfully danced her heart out for many years and made many dear friends who kept her going strong and happy for as long as she was able.
Please contact the family for details on the funeral service.
Should friends so desire, a contribution in Kay's memory may be made to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet or to the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2022
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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Dear Micheal, Katie and Jill. We are saddened to hear of Kay’s sudden death. You and your families are in our thoughts. Kay holds a special place in our hearts and that memory will remain. We have all been blessed and charmed by her presence. She will be missed. Donna Anne and family - Posted by: Donna Caeker (Friend) on: Feb 23, 2022
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I met Kay during my first year of teaching at Balmoral Hall School. She was a mentor and friend. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated her wit and wisdom. Her expressions and advice lives through me in my classes to this day... I really should formally cite her as a source on my classroom wall. We carpooled and visited outside of school, she taught me songs to sing to my children, we shared stories of our families (how she was so proud of Michael, Katie, Jill and John) and she provided me with many, many laughs. Oh, Kay, I did so love coming in to teaching at BH with you around. What a joy it was to know you! With love, Jen. - Posted by: Jennifer McDonald (Colleague at Balmoral Hall School) on: Feb 22, 2022
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I was very saddened to hear of Kay's passing. I'll always remember her big smile and witty sense of humor. She was good at finding humor in every day events which I loved and admired about her. I remember when we flipped the Christmas turkey upside down into the snow in the parking lot as we were transporting the bird to her house for Christmas dinner. With a big smile and a laugh she graciously offered to scrape off the sand and create a beautiful dinner with what was left. She did and I is how I'll always remember her; unwavering with a smile and laughter in the face of adversity. She was wonderful to Don and myself when we moved to Winnipeg. Her and John introduced us to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet which I will always be grateful for the wonderful memories of culture and lively Robertson family dinners. I know that my life has been richer for having known such a beautiful soul. My prayers and thoughts are with all of the Robertson family. - Posted by: Lori Robertson (Niece) on: Feb 21, 2022
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I met Kay in her first year of teaching and My friends and I crashed her and John's wedding ceremony. She was an inspiration and mentor. When I was a student in Toronto in the summer of 1965, I babysat Michael and she and John took me to Stratford for my first Shakespearian Festival. We have always kept in touch. Just a few weeks ago we had a lovely chat on the phone. My most sincere sympathy to Michael, Jill, Catherine and their families. Wilma Hewitson and Wlson Parasiuk - Posted by: Wilma Hewitson and Wilson Parasiuk (Student and friend) on: Feb 19, 2022
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I remember Kay fondly from my days in Job's Daughters. She was one of my role models, being three years older than me. She was also one of my installing officers when I became Honoured Queen and I have a lovely photo of her from 1956. Rest in peace, dear Kay. - Posted by: Mary-Lynne (Mel Braun, nee Ryckman (Friend) on: Feb 19, 2022
