It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kathleen May Chesney. Kay was born on August 10, 1928 at Stettler, Alberta, to Ray and Pearl Barclay of Erskine, Alberta and passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta on February 21, 2024 at the age of 95.

Kay attended schools at Behrens, north of Erskine for grades 1 -6; Drake School at Tees, Alberta for grades 6 – 10; Lacombe for grades 11 and 12. Following that a refresher Secretarial Course at McKay Knippfel Business College at Stettler, Alberta (Sept. 1948 -Jan. 15, 1949). On January 19, 1949 she moved to Olds and commenced employment at the Olds School of Agriculture and Home Economics. During the first year she worked half days at the “School” and half days for the District Agriculturist. The following year she became Secretary to the Principal.

In January 1952 she met Jack Chesney, the son of Sam and Janet Chesney of Cadomin, Alberta, who had come to Olds to play hockey with the Olds Elks and work. They were married on November 10, 1956. They continued to live in Olds (for the 62 years) where they both were employed. Kay continued to work as a secretary until May 1, 1957, then became a full-time housewife and mother. Jack and Kay raised two children, Janet and Ray.

With Jack, Janet and Ray active in sports they lead a busy life but found time for family togetherness which during the summer was camping and fishing on weekends. In May 1963 Kay returned to work at the Olds School of Agriculture and Home Economics as Secretary to the Principal. She continued to work for the Heads of the Institution known in later years as Olds College until she retired on September 15, 1983. During the last five years she was also secretary to the Board of Governors at Olds College. Her employment at the college was 27 years.

Kay worked in the concession at the arena for the Olds Elks Hockey Club in the 1950’s. She belonged to the United Church Women’s Organization for a number of years when she wasn’t working. She also organized banquets for the yearly Fish & Game Association; served one year on the Olds Band Assoc. Executive, served as treasurer for the Olds Genealogical Society from October 1984 to May 1985, leaving that position because of family illness. In 1987 she became Secretary for the Olds Golf Club and served in that capacity from April 1987 to October 1990. She joined the Royal Canadian Legion in 1988 and worked on the Membership Committee for a few years; also served as secretary-treasurer for Zone 2, District S of the Royal Canadian Legion for two years and was secretary for two District Rallies. She also worked part time as a volunteer in the Family History Center of the Morman Church helping people who were researching their family history. Kay joined the Olds Evergreens and served on their board for a short time and also was a member on the Sunshine Bus Committee for the Town of Olds. Kay liked camping, fishing, curling and playing golf. Both Jack and Kay were avid gardeners and took great pride in preserving a years’ worth of vegetables. In recent years she became involved with doing genealogy and has written extensive history books on her families.

As a young girl Kay grew up in the dirty thirties, life was hard on the farm. Kay went from driving a horse and buggy several miles to school to enjoying the luxury of touring around in her Grand Marquis in later years. In her early teenage years, World War II broke out and life changed for everyone. When Kay began her career as a secretary, she was very proficient on a manual typewriter and later became a master of word processing. Kay embraced the rise of the digital age; she witnessed the advent of space exploration and the first human landing on the moon. She saw first-hand the significant advancements in medicine. Despite these rapid changes, Kathleen remained steadfast in her values, dedicating herself to family, community, and lifelong learning. Her journey through the ever-changing landscape of the 20th and early 21st centuries is a testament to her resilience and adaptability.

In February of 2018, Kay made the choice to move to Calgary to be closer to family & has resided at a Continuing Care Facility in Calgary for the past 6 years.

Kay is predeceased by her husband Jack Chesney (February 24, 1988); her parents Ray & Pearl Barclay; Jack’s parents, Sam & Janet Chesney; her brother Ron Barclay and Jack’s siblings, Mae & Loren Morris, Bud & Helen Chesney, Eunice Chesney, Wayne Chesney & niece Jodi Chesney. Kay’s memory lives on through her children, Janet (Michael) Dovichak and Ray (Anita) Chesney; her grandchildren, Byron (Melissa) Dovichak and Lesley Dovichak; Ashley (Justin) Pettigrew, Justin (Christie) Chesney, Jason and Shellaine Chesney; great grandchildren Lauren, Garrett & Nolan Dovichak; Sawyer & Elsie Chesney; sister-in-law’s Vicky Barclay & Carol Chesney and an aunt, Lucylle Holsworth and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Granny/Grandmaw Kay, will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

If desired, Memorial Donations in Kay’s honour may be made to: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105, 5241 – 46th Street, Olds, Alberta T4H 1H5; Olds College Opportunities Fund, Development Office, 4500 50 Street, Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6 or to a charity of your choice.

• Date : 2024-03-06
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com