DUCKETT, Katherine “Kit”

DUCKETT, Katherine (Kit) Nicholas March 11, 1923 – May 21, 2026 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Katherine (Kit) Duckett, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the age of 103 years.
Kit was born Kitty Reeves, on March 11, 1923, in the small town of Wattstown, in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, United Kingdom. She was the only child of William and Ida Reeves. Kit attended Aberystwyth University from 1941 to 1944, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching certification in 1945. Her teaching career began in Haverhill, Cambridgeshire, England. There she met her future husband, Anthony ‘Tony’ Duckett, also a teacher. They were married on August 6, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, where they began a lifelong partnership built on love and dedication to family.
Kit and Tony emigrated from the United Kingdom in 1953, returning briefly to England in 1956 for what was then known as the ‘Thousand Dollar Cure’ before settling permanently in Canada in 1957. Kit continued her teaching career, first in Brocket, AB, on the Piikani Reserve and later in Lethbridge, AB, where she and Tony established lifetime friendships and memories for 21 years.
She was a gifted teacher, lifelong learner, and a talented storyteller with a passionate love of music. She was a dedicated lifelong Catholic Women’s League member (CWL) and a long-standing member of the Calgary Welsh Society. Kit embraced her Welsh heritage and was very proud of it. Playing a fierce game of Bridge was one of her many favourite hobbies!
In 1981, Kit and Tony retired to French Creek on Vancouver Island, BC, enjoying many happy years together before returning to Calgary, AB, in 1992, where they made their home in the Arbour Lake Villas. They moved together to the Arbour Lake Retirement Community in 2014. In her last year, Kit resided at the Venvi Edgemont.
At the time of her passing, Kit’s remarkable legacy included seven children: John (Susan), Michael (Sue), Paul (Joan), Christopher, Peter (Mona), Brian (Anne) and Mary (Keith Meservia), 21 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren, all of whom were deeply proud of her and grateful for her love, wisdom, strength, and enduring example. Kit was predeceased by her loving husband Anthony, her parents, and many dear contemporaries whom she outlived through her extraordinary longevity. A life so richly lived and so generously shared will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by her family and many dear friends.
The Duckett family wishes to express gratitude to the staff and management of Atria Arbour Lake Retirement Community and Venvi Edgemont for their companionship and compassionate care of our mother.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (541 Silvergrove Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Kit’s family at www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Katherine (Kit) Duckett, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.