Kathleen (Kay) Shirley Armitage (nee Bradley)

At home peacefully, at Extendicare Medex on the 24th day of September in her 97th year.

Beloved wife of 50 years to the late Frank Armitage.

Survived by brothers- in-law, Dr. Roly Armitage (Mary, deceased, Karen, deceased) and King Armitage ( Heather).

Loving mother of Lynn Marklew (Charlie), Monty Armitage (Linda), Laurie McOuat (Peter), Jeff Armitage (Sheila) and Kelly Atkins (Paul).

Loving Nana and Mama Kay to Jody (Kevin), Shannon (Brent), Mark (deceased), Kyle (Kristin), Brent, Brad, Bronwyn (Justin), Ryan (Kyla), Ben (Jackie), Reaghan, Cassidy, Franklyn (deceased), and Siobhan.

Cherished Great Nana Kay to Taylor, Teneshia, Owen, Jasper, August, Justice, Hayden, Adelyn and Brooklyn.

Very special Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home at 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean on Saturday November 4th at 10:00 am with the service at 11:00 am.

Reception to follow.

Internment will follow the reception at St. John’s Anglican Church, 325 Sandhill Road, Kanata.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Ottawa Mission or The Ottawa Food Bank would be appreciated by the family.

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Kathleen Shirley Bradley, known as Kay, was the youngest child born on April 24, 1927, to Olivene and William Eldon Bradley, former Post Masters of the small Historic Village of Stittsville. Kay is pre-deceased by her once tightknit siblings; Cherry Hart (Bill), Helene Snelgrove (Dee), Nora McCullough (Murray), Harris A.K.A Butch Bradley (Beverley), Doris Todd (John) and Lillian Neill (Eldon).

Often reflecting on her childhood years, telling stories of helping her father deliver mail on his daily route, playing ball on the Stittsville Women’s softball team, or listening to the sound of the trains making a ruckus from the station across from the family home located at the corner of Main St. and Abbott St. Her love of figure skating derives from the days skating on the outskirt pond with other village children. Kay spoke fondly of her days at her quaint one room schoolhouse still standing today. Her passion for assisting those in need, whether hungry or homeless, stems from her Parents open door policy, to never abandon anyone from their bounty of food available during the Depression years.

Following her grade 10 high school requirement, at the early age of fifteen, Kay travelled the train daily to Carleton Place where she attended business college. She landed her first employment soon after at Metropolitan Life Insurance in Ottawa. This is where Kay also found her fashion passion, rushing out at lunch with the other ladies to grab the best shoe sales in the big shoe store below her office. Kay always received compliments for her profound sense of fashion style, and large flashy "but not tacky" jewelry.

At sixteen, Kay met her teenage sweetheart Frank Armitage of South March, where they became a prominent powerhouse on the dance floor circuit. They spent memorable summer’s visiting Kay’s family cottage in Sand Point.

Kay and Frank married in 1948, a couple of years following, obtained their first house in Kay’s hometown of Stittsville, spending time building their family. At one point, they embarked on a journey and moved to Florida with their four young children Lynn, Monty, Laurie, and Jeff.

After returning to Canada, 10 years after their last child, Kay and Frank provided another surprise to their bounty, and baby Kelly was born. About this time, Kay finally decided it was time for herself, focusing on her love to sing, spent more time with her Capital Chordettes Barbershop Chorus. Contributing her "bass" vocals, and with immense pride, successfully achieved the ultimate recognition of Champion Quartet in 1966. Barbershop music was a major part of her life for many years.

In 1971, a new leg of their life journey found Kay and Frank settling in Frank’s home roots of Dunrobin. Here they spent their senior years, renovating their beloved farmhouse on the Second Line. Kay would love to announce that she had a secret. “I’m a stripper” she would boast, typical of her humour everyone understood, comically adding “of antique furniture!” She was a natural designer who crafted her house to showcase the quality of her beloved “stripped” furniture. Most of these pieces are present in her family's residences today.

Kay will always be remembered for her boisterous contagious laugh, a true honest comedian, and the life of the party. She was deeply devoted to youth, particularly teenagers, where she felt they deserved special attention and guidance. Kay was adamant that time spent with her special Nephews, Nieces, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, along with her children’s friends was important. Its safe to say she was a favorite to most. Kay spent her final working years as a travelling Nanny, where her many children knew her as loving "Mama Kay".

During their Golden years, there were a handful of travel trips to Florida, British Columbia, New Orleans, Nashville, and Prince Edward Island. In 1995 Kay and Frank took their final journey and sold that finally finished farmhouse, heading next door to Woodlawn. Building a cozy little apartment and spending 18 years co-living with daughter Laurie and her family. After Frank's death, Kay could be found lounging by the pool, reading an enjoyable book, or baking up a storm during the holidays. Kay regularly attended St. Mary’s Church in Dunrobin contributing to her community or simply raising her beloved Grandchildren. It was common for Kay to invite her extended family members to stay with her, or to host a great party for her family.

Kay was renowned for correcting everyone's "Ya'lls" and "aints" or offering excellent advice. One of her favorite quotes instilled by her father, while facing challenging times was to remind her family. “Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out”

We will all miss Kay's jokes, homemade pies, butter tarts, tea biscuits, rice pudding, and burnt popcorn. Kay was not always the most attentive cook for two or three people, but she could feed an Army like a champion. Our Queen Matriarch has always been a catalyst for success in us all. Her stories and memories are still alive for more years to come