Kay Larion

I have been asked to say a few words about mom Kay Larion , I have been thinking about this for

a day or so and have found that when I try to summarize my mom in words that all I get is

memories. My mother was born Mary Catherine Barron in the little town of Glace Bay, Cape

Breton Island , Nova Scotia on June 2 1927 to Irish Catholic parents. She would answer to many

names and she is beautiful. She was a coal miners daughter and would grow up knowing that

you have to work hard for anything in this world. At her very core was a heart of gold that

would later prove to be an integral part of who Katie was. Katie was the third child of parents

that would have eleven children and then adopt two more so Katie would learn responsibility at a

very young age , helping to raise her younger siblings and with housework. Her very short

childhood was spent on the eastern shore of Cape Breton growing up in a house that was teeming

with life. When Katie was twelve years old Canada answered the call to war and in 1941 Canada

needed girls to work in our foundries and factories to keep up with the war effort. Ontario was

heavily industrialized and was the destination for the young women that answered the call. Katie

answered that call......at age 14...There were minimum age/weight requirements in place..In order

to sign up you must have attained the age of 16 and weigh 115 lbs. Katie was only 14 and being a

slip of a girl was lucky to weigh 100 lbs , but with a minor fudge on her date of birth and

weight...she found herself on herself on a train bound for Ontario. When Katie arrived in Ontario

she stayed at a girls dormitory and worked at Cockshutt Plow here in Brantford. . At that time in

our history there were dances and big bands where people would go to socialize under the dark

curtain of war and uncertainty. At such a dance when Katie was just eighteen she met a young

man named Frank Larion whom she would marry and raise a family with.

We as people learn and adapt to certain traits that make us unique . As children growing up

under Kay’s roof we were taught the basics of life. Our lessons were simple and yet they have

become ingrained in the very fabric that makes who we are. With quiet disposition Katie would

often dispense her wisdom upon us always tempered with love .If there is a will , there is a way

was a favourite platform of Katie’s and with a brutal and yet very quiet perseverance, her will

would shine through. She could make do with very little to work with and do her work with such

fervour that even the most mundane or unpleasant tasks were performed quite happily.

Our cousin Catherine was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stay at my moms house for

a portion of her childhood and she has asked me to express her fond memories of her aunt Katie.

Katie would make the day fun and colourful all the while working. Instilling hope and values upon

a young child was a gift my mother had and it was a gift she used well.

Mom had an infectious laugh and a very keen sense of humour. She had the ability to produce

laughter even in the most awkward situations. Her laugh was a rolling staccato , was from the

heart and once she started laughing it wasn’t very long before the whole room was useless from

laughter. As of late Sunday afternoons would find Katie at family homes recounting stories over

food and music and she would prompt laughter with her tales and memories. At the end of the day

that is all that counts, is the love of friends and family.

Our mother gave us all gifts in which we could grow and prosper from .

Absolutely unshakeable core values..it is an integral part of our genetic makeup

Compassion...The ability to see and embrace goodness in life and with a heart the size of Katies

everyone around her felt it. She had the innate ability to see good in everyone and would gladly

give her last possession to those less fortunate around her.

Passion..We all possess the drive Kay had in her life’s work. Whether it is dealing with children,

siblings, work or everyday life situations. She would make sure everyone else was taken of and

happy before she would rest.

Katie set a threshold of dignity for herself and everyone around to follow and would protest if

she seen inequities along her path. She would gladly give you the shirt off her back, her last crumb

of food if you were in need. I have this vision of my mom eating while standing, not having the

time to sit down. She would worry and fret that her family were getting enough to eat . Selfless acts

were typical of my mom and I strive in my own journey in life to somehow mimic that trait..

My mother had an undeniable spirit and passed it along . I see that same spirit bubbling inside my

own children. Katie was stoic and possessed a fight far bigger than her person.

Hope.....we all need hope.....my mother always had hope...regardless of the situation. She would say

Don’t worry , something will happen , something always does...and even in the worst situations

something good would always happen. My mother and I share a belief that someone is indeed

watching over her.

Katie has a flame , an unwavering, bulletproof flame of hope that lived within her big heart. That

little flame is still burning within Katie and will eternally. She is now in Gods’ hands and knowing

her I know that she would love to share her little flame with all of us.

When you get to heaven look her up. If you don’t see her right away don’t worry. Just follow the

smell of Javex. Katie will be the angel with the hairnet on cleaning all the really hard to get to places

all the while telling the others ït is simple...if it stinks it is dirty ...clean it or she may be out back

with her feet up. My one hope is that she doesn’t give God a hard time. If she doesn’t like the way

things are run I pray she holds her tongue and just rolls her eyes in her own Katie fashion Hopefully

she gives God licence of Providence and to us licence to flourish in our own lives.

I would like to say a few words about Katie’s family if I may. Katie had 5 children..each one is

completely different than the next and yet we are the same. We have a bond...a commonality. This

common thread is Katie. We all have her hopes and we all have her dreams because we all have

Katies lifeblood pumping through our hearts.

We would like to thank you Mary Catherine for everything you are and all the gifts that you have

shared along the way. We are proud to call you wife, mother, sister , grandmother, aunt and friend.

We wish you well on your journey Katie and it will be filled with grace and dignity. We are all

richer for having known you .Above all thank you for just being you.

Rest well Mary Catherine......amen