Peacefully at her home, Palgrave, on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, Kathleen Oakes, in her 56th year, beloved wife of Robert Oakes. Cherished mother of Stephanie Kirin and Matthew Kirin. Loving daughter of Letty and the late Francis McCann. Dear sister of Janice and Rob Oakley, Frances McCann and Chris Tytler. Fondly remembered by her extended family and friends.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213), Friday afternoon 2 – 4 and evening 7 – 9 o’clock and Saturday morning, January 22 from 9 o’clock until time of funeral service in the chapel at 10 o’clock. Interment Nashville Cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation – Pencer Brain Centre, 610 University Avenue, 16th Floor, Toronto M5G 2M9.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Andrea Fulton
I am so sad by her loss… and so comforted by the many, many wonderful memories that she brings to mind! Boy that girl could make me laugh! I loved her style and charisma. May we all carry a little piece of her with us forever.
Jack Nunno
Robert, please accept my sincerest condolences during this very difficult time for you. I cannot imagine the pain that you must be going through. Be strong and accept the support of your friends and family.
Warmest regards,
Jack.
Rocco Simone
Words cannot express the sadness I feel at this moment. Kathy’s memory will always remain deep within my heart.
Giselle Avalos
I had the pleasure of getting to know Kathy when I reported to her a few years ago.. She was a vibrant woman full of life, there was not a day she did not share her her admirable love she had for both her husband and children. She has a passion for live and will be rememebr by me as such. My sincere condolonces on her passing may she live on in all our memories.
Karen Cassells
Robert, you are in my thoughts and prayers today on the passing of Kathy. Keep the memories of Kathy close to you and they will help you through this week and all the weeks ahead. Memories are the treasures that you can carry with you wherever you go and it’s the memories that are the most precious.
Thinking of you.
Karen
Heather (Arthur Murray Dance Studio)
Kathy always had a smile, and always made me smile. She will be missed terribly by those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Annette Harrison (Burgsma)
SORRY I (Annette Harrison (Burgsma never had a chance to meet you, but OUR FAMILY BURGSMA on John & Jean’s, siblings JUST GOT IN CONTACT with each other again. after quite a few years.!! All my best goes out to Bob & Family!!!, xoxoxoxo It’s ALWAYS a hard time to get through, but ALL BURGSMA’s are very strong…….and always conquor anything they come across with, including DEATH!!. So take care of yourself and the rest of your family…….! XOXO. !. We may be ALL here TODAY…….and GONE TOMORROW!!, Soooooo we all have to take 1 day at a time!!. Again I’m sorry to hear about your wife Bob,
Love your long lost cousin Annette, (I think), Take Care!!!!
xoxoxoxo….
Valerie Coelho
Hello, my name is Valerie, Fran is my sister-in-law. I would like to send my condolence to all of you. Kathleen was a wonderful person and she will be missed deeply by her family and friends. My prayers are with you all.
Helen Jones (Teresa's friend!)
So sorry to hear about your loss. I know it’s been a hard road and just so sad. I know you have a great family that will be there for you in the tough times ahead. Know that lots of people are thinking about you and remembering Kathy as she was in the picture you chose…it’s beautiful.
Jean L'Heureux
Robert, this is with sadness that I learned the pass away of you wife. The lost of a cherished person is a difficult moment in life. My thoughts and my prayers are with you and your family from distance.
Jean
Jim Kalogerakos
Met her once on the GO with Robert and was struck by her joyful personality. Celebrate the good times shared with her and the positive contributions she made in life. May the memories provide you comfort now and in times of need.
Cindy Pinkal
Words cannot express my sadness. Her passion and energy brightened each and everyone’s life she touched.
Her dedication to her friends and family was admired. Her zeal for dance was inspirational.
May our lives be enriched with qualities Kathy demonstrated throughout her time with us. Cindy
Dennis Wingenbach
I am truly saddened to hear the news of the passing of your Wife Robert and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please feel free to call me anytime
Dennis Wingenbach
Melinda Cabral
Robert, my prayers and thoughts are with you. I am truly saddened for this great loss of yours.
Zora Drumonde
My sincere condolences, my heart and prayers go out to your family.
All of us at DEL are thinking of you.
God Bless
Diana Merlini and Family
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the loss of your wife, mother and daughter. We will keep you in our prayers.
Victor Rabba
With condolences, my prayers are with you and your family. In reflection and memories may you find peace.
Greg Roscoe
Steph my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Maryann Frendo
Robert, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this very difficult time. Blessings to you and your loved ones.
Jessica myette
Kathy and I got to know each other when I reported to her a couple years ago. Her infectious personality had me hooked at once. She was so outgoing and caring and open about all her loves…Rob, Stephanie, Matthew and, of course, Dancing and shoes! She lived life to the fullest which brings me some peace to know how much she enjoyed life while she was with us. We’ll miss u Kathy. My warmest condolences to her family and friends. Jess
Annamarie Castrilli and David Carmichael
Dear Robert,
We were so sad to hear of Kathy’s passing. What a terrible loss for you and your family.
We always remember the two of you dancing so magnificently at the Arthur Murray studio and having so much patience with two less gifted students.
Kathy was always so full of life and an inspiration to all of us who knew you both at the studio.
Robert, .we know from experience with loved ones we have lost that they are never far away. She will always be with you to love, guide and advise you. The veil of death is just that: a veil and not a definitive end. Surely she is dancing in a pain free place and sending you her energy to comfort you.
We cannot be with you today but know that you are in your thoughts and in our prayers.
With sincere condolences,
Annamarie and David
Stacey Holland
I can’t begin to understand how you must feel. Kathy’s passing is a huge loss! She will be remembered as a person with a generosity of spirit and a wonderful sense of humour. Knowing Kathy she has already started a Dancing team in Heaven. Keep your memories close, they can’t be taken away from you. My Sincere Condolences for this tragic loss. Stacey
Gord and Diane Catania
We didn’t know Kathy personally but if she was anything like her sister, Frances, then she will leave a noticable gap in the lives of those she loved and those who knew and loved her.
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the whole family at this very sad time.
With sincere condolences,
Gordon and Diane Catania
Frances Corrado
My sincere condolences to Frances and family my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cynthia, Lisa, Bogdana, Steve, Sergei, Jaime, Crysta and Alex
From your friends and family at Arthur Murray Etobicoke,
We are all left with fond memories of you embraced in your husband’s arms, sweeping across the floor together; and that memory will live with us forever.
You were a shining example of what a couple could be; not only in dancing, but in our day to day life. Your smile, laughter and optimism will be surely missed.
May you continue to dance, if only in our hearts.
God Bless
Paul and Carole Gallo
Rob,
although Kathy’s illness was a very real thing her passing is still very hard to accept because Carole and I can only picture the two of you together like two best friends living life to the fullest.
We will never forget all the good times we had together, especially the cruise.
Kathy will be greatly missed, but always in our hearts. Carole will especially miss her because she had found a truly good friend in Kathy and in you as well.
We hope you and all of Kathy’s loved ones find the strength to heal from this experience and take care of yourselves.
With love,
Paul and Carole Gallo
Joyce Fendrick
Robert, I was so very sorry to hear about Kathy. I have such good memories of you both on the dance floor together. Kathy was an inspiration and always fun to be with, and she will be greatly missed.
Lisa O'Neil
I am a friend of Kathy’s sister – Frances. I am sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers go out to everyone. Although I had never met Kathy, I had heard many stories about her and her family. May peace be with you all at this sad and difficult time.
Lisa
Jeff Ballak
It is so hard to hear about Kathy. She was such a warm and loving person. She will be sadly missed by all.
My condolences and best wishes
God bless
Jeff
Dina Bagg
Dear Bob & Family
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
We had hoped to attend but unfortunately the flu has come here to pay us a visit. Please know that we will be thinking about you all.
Sincerely
Dina, Ron & Eva
Vincent Collado
I had the privilege to work with Kathy on several initiatives and she was always supportive and caring. Her sense of humour is what I will always remember when I think of her. All the messages from friends and colleagues are a tribute to the impact she had on our lives. She will be missed by all the people who knew her.
I want to offer my sincere condolences and support to her family during this difficult time.
Tracy and Ross Weaymouth
We are so sorry for your loss; Kathy was a very warm and friendly person. She had a great sense of humour, and will be greatly missed.
Tracy and Ross
Andrew Marchewka
Kathy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You will be missed by all of us who were fortunate to have worked with you. My deepest sympathy is with your family and friends.
God bless
Andrew
Kristen and Graham Fahrnlaender
We have been keeping you all in our thoughts this week. Kathy was an amazing person. She will be remembered for her humour, warmth and amazing spirit. We owe so much to her and will never forget everything she has done for us. We both wish we could be there with you all, you have been in our thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Kristen, Graham and the kids
Ginine Agnew (former arthur murray etob. student)
I remember when i first started dancing – watching Kathy and Rob on the floor, listening to her laughter and hoping to one day be as joyous and beautiful a dancer as she is. Then, when i met them, i realised that not only was she beautiful on the floor, but that she was as beautiful as a person. She welcomed me, made me feel comfortable, taught me how to laugh at myself and strive for improvement at the same time, helped me be less self conscious, encouraged and advised me about dating the man i’d just met (who is now my husband). She is the reason i stuck with dancing though the awkward beginner phase, and now, more than 6 years later, dance is still a huge part of my life, and her advise about relationships helped me to become a happily married woman. She literally changed the course of my life, and i can’t imagine i’m the only one she effected in such a deep and positive way.
My sincerest condolences to Robert and family. Kathy will be greatly missed, but i’m sure she will never be forgotten, as her life has touched so many is such amazing ways.
Ginine
Luis Antonio Martinez
My deepest condolences to the Oakes/Kirin family members and friends for their loss. I was in shock when I learned that Kathleen has passed away. I knew Kathleen from my years at CIBC and just last year I saw Kathleen in Commerce Court in downtown Toronto. We travelled back in time in our brief conversation that very special day during lunch time. I have great memories while working with Kathleen, she was always jovial and knew how to put a positive spin on things. She always had a smile on her face. I will always remember her like that, for her smile and her contagious positive personality. You will always be missed.
Walter Dalziel
It has been too many years since days in Glasgow and becoming Canadians together, a wonderful family and memories of a very special beautiful gal growing up in Rexdale.
Tonight I tried to find Kathleen and am truly and very deeply saddened to discover here, this tragic news.
Letty, Janice, Frances, Robert and entire family, on behalf of myself and the Dalziel family, please feel our warmest love and condolences. Words cannot express.
I remember such spirit, heart and an engaging smile even at an 11th birthday party on Torbolton Drive… they were never lost and Kathy, I will never forget you, ever.