Obituary for Katherine "Kay" Clarke (Schoff)

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Life Story for Katherine "Kay" Clarke (Schoff)

Eulogy by Rev. Mike Sinclair

Here are a few feeble thoughts, cobbled together with love, thanksgiving for a beautiful life, and more than a little sadness at the loss of someone precious to me, and to us:

To work beside someone in a hot and crowded church kitchen is to know them.
To eat food, beautifully prepared with care and attention in that kitchen is to be loved by them.
By definition then, many of us had the amazing gift of knowing Kay. By the same definition, I doubt there is anyone in Estevan who has not at some point been loved by her.

Life with Kay was simple. She was straight forward. There wasn’t a lot of guess work when it came down to her thoughts and feelings about things. She would let you know. She was always gracious in hearing about other ways of doing things.....She never did them, as she knew the best way to get it done, but at the very least she was gracious.

If Kay knew you, she loved you. If she loved you, she fed you. “No thank you” was not an appropriate answer. I gained 30 pounds in my first 3 years in Estevan. Again, “No thank you” was not an option.
It wasn’t just food with Kay, though. Food was simply a vehicle of caring for her. A delicious vehicle, but a vehicle nonetheless. And not one that she was stingy with. She was someone who had a vast capacity for caring for everyone she met. That was shown in the welcome and love she gave, regardless of who was in front of her.

She had a quiet passion for people. This always played out in giving of herself to them. She desired the best for people. If they hurt, chances are she would hurt, too. If someone had a need, Kay would help to fill it. If something needed doing, Kay was one who would get it done.

Her family was the most important thing to her. The pride and joy she took in her kids and their families was a beautiful thing, and is one thing that I hope none of them ever forget. She loved you so very much, and was so proud that you were hers.

Kay valued the oft-forgotten tradition of ‘short and to the point’. In honour of her, therefore, I share these closing thanksgivings:
I am thankful for this woman of faith. I am thankful for the joy with which she welcomed my family as part of hers. I’m thankful for her quiet strength and perseverance. I’m thankful that I got the chance to know and love such a beautiful soul.

Thanks for everything, and Rest easy, Kay. You made this a much better place. Each of us is better for knowing you.

P.S. God help all of you if you didn’t use the Texas-cut bread for the funeral sandwiches today.