Kathryn Blanche Currie

Kathryn Blanche Currie (nee Gates) passed away peacefully on June 18, 2016 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC. She was 98 years of age. Kathryn was born on June 22, 1917 in Fernie, BC to William and Mary Gates. She was the fourth daughter of six children.
She is survived by her son, William (Bill), her sister, Mary, numerous nieces and nephews, her grandchildren, William Jr, John (Lorraine), Christine (Steve) and Wayne (Jodi), seven great grandchildren and her daughter in law, Diane. Kathryn was predeceased by her loving husband of 33 years, John (Jack) Mearns Currie, her parents, William and Mary Gates and her sisters, Margaret, Wilma, Esther and Louise. Kathryn was raised in Fernie where she spent many summers swimming in McBains Lake and winters skating outdoors with her sisters. Kathryn graduated from school in Fernie in 1935 and then went to Victoria Normal School for a year. She received a teacher's certificate and returned to Fernie to look for work. A year later she found teaching positions in the East Kootenays at Kitchener and Lumberton. She taught Grades 1 to 8 in a one room school at both locations. She then taught Grades 1 to 4 at Arrow Creek near Creston.
Kathryn attended summer school in Victoria during these years and spent several weeks each summer with her sister, Esther, in Port Alberni. It was there that she met Harte Davidson, whom she married in 1942. Their son, Bill, was born a year later. In 1946, Kathryn moved to Victoria with Bill to live with her parents. She taught Grade 1 at Bank Street School in Victoria until 1961 when she moved to Vancouver. Kathryn continued teaching a Charles Dickens School in Vancouver until 1977 when she retired. Kathryn met Jack Currie, also born in Fernie, in Vancouver and they married in late 1977. Kathryn and Jack moved to Westbank where Jack had built a new house on Okanagan Lake. They spent ten good years there during which time they started their travels on board cruise ships. In 1988, the Curries moved to Victoria and continued their extensive travels. After Jack passed away in 2011, Kathryn moved to Kamloops and remained there until her passing. Kathryn enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren at the lake in Westbank. She also enjoyed spending some winter months in Maui and travelling the world with Jack. In Victoria, Kathryn had many friends who played bridge and attended the symphony with her.
She was an elegant lady. Kathryn was laid to rest next to Jack in Royal Oak Burial Park near Victoria on June 28, 2016 at a private service.