KATHRYN ANN HAMILL
Posted: May 26th, 2023 1950 ~ KATHRYN ANN HAMILL ~ 2023
With heavy hearts and great sorrow, we announce the tragic passing of Kathy Hamill while vacationing in Cuba. Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Audrey (nee Ireland) Palmer, and her aunt, Frances Ireland. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 48 years, John; her Lab-Retriever, Deke; her sister, Elizabeth Hauck (Greg); nieces, Melinda, Melanie, and Michelle; as well as countless close friends and colleagues. Born in Medicine Hat and raised in nearby Ralston, which Kathy celebrated as “the town with everything” – indoor swimming pool (before Medicine Hat), horses to enjoy, and easy transit to and from the Hat. She treasured fond memories of fishing with her dad. She rode in the Equestrian Ride from Ralston to Calgary, to open the Calgary Stampede. Graduating from Medicine Hat High School, she completed U of A Pharmacist program, then on to U of C where she pursued a degree in medicine. On a summer break she met her soul mate, John. They moved to England where she married John in Middle Wallop on September 13, 1975, launching their lifetime adventure in Air, Land, and Sea. They spent weekends sailing on John’s 36′ Bermudan Sloop, the “Double B”, moored in Portsmouth on the English Channel and sailed the south coast of England and circumnavigated the Isle of Wight. The same year they returned to Ralston moving into Kathy’s childhood home at 5 Pendine Road, Married Quarters. During this time John took Kathy on her first skydiving jumps. They would also bring horses back into Kathy’s life, starting with “Joker” a chuckwagon racing horse. Joker would never walk, it was stand or run, no happy medium. They enjoyed YMCA scuba diving training in Waterton Lake and would later dive Hong Kong and Malaysia; she loved swimming in the Malacca Straits. Kathy excelled as a pharmacist, speaking highly of Chuck Meagher, her first supervisor at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. This onward with posts at Woolworth’s, Boylans’, Co-op, Crestwood Pharmacy, and finishing out her career with Walmart. Always an animal lover, they brought their cat with them from England. After moving to Medicine Hat, Kathy was rarely without a dog; first came Rudy, a rescued black lab. Dogs would reach a peak population of five in the Hamill home. Kathy and John enjoyed multi-day canoe trips on the South Saskatchewan from Bow Island into the Hat, and from the Hat to Sandy Point. They ran many Marathons in Calgary and Victoria, and they competed in the 100km Longview Kananaskis Run. Running together, John placed ahead of her in their first marathon, but thereafter Kathy would forever place ahead of him. She loved fast cars enjoying her MG, Triumph Spitfire, V6 Honda Accord, the Corvette and recently a Kia Stinger! Kathy was a fierce supporter of John’s forays into Medicine Hat municipal government where he won several mandates on City Council. Loved ones are invited to Kathy’s Memorial Service at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE Medicine Hat, AB on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Dr. David J. Carter officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 8E8. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Kathryn Hamill. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park #1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5 (403)528-2599 www.saamis.com inquiry@saamis.com Locally owned and directed CGR Holdings Ltd.
john doug and I are so sorry to hear about kathys passing please accept our deepest sympathies. thinking of you today
John, we are so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I enjoyed the years I worked with her at Woolworths. Our deepest sympathies.
What sad news of Kathy’s passing. We grew up together, went through all of Ralston School together, and had many good times as children and teens. I particularly remember an early teen birthday party at her house that seemed as much fun as we could possibly enjoy! Later life separated us in distance, but not in memory, and I was very pleased to see her and reminisce a dozen years ago. My mother passed our news both ways, and we weren’t completely out of touch. Unfortunately, I never had the privilege of meeting John, but I’m so glad to know that they had a long and worthwhile marriage; my heart goes out to him, Elizabeth, and all their friends and family.
Wendy and I are so very sorry for your loss.
Our sincere condolences from the both of us John. Our thoughts are with you my friend.
John, we are so very sorry for your loss of Kathy. Our Sincere Sympathy. We are unable to attend the service for Kathy. Keeping you in our thoughts. Take Care
John, I am so very sorry for your loss. Kathy was my favorite pharmacist. In fact, I followed her from pharmacy to pharmacy for a number of years. She always was so friendly and kind. For years after I stopped following her around, anytime she saw my one daughter, she always asked about me and would send greetings. I am glad that Kathy had such a full and happy life. God Bless you as you circumvent the grieving process. I am so very sorry but there is another angel in God’s choir now.
I often met Cathy while out walking my dog on the trails. I have thought of her often and am sadden to know I will not be meeting her and Deets while walking my dog.
John
So sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing.
She gave to much and still had so much to give.
She surely will be missed but not forgotten.
Very tough time.
Take care of yourself as best you can.
Eugene and Shirley
We would like to express our sincere sympathy in Kathy’s passing. She was a wonderful person and John enjoyed her company very much.
I just read “new Trail” U of A magazine and saw that a fellow pharmacy classmate passed. Heartfelt condolences to Kathy’s family. Gone far too soon .