Kaye Devlin She had a good death!

How many people can you say this about?
It is with great sadness that I mourn a dear friend.
She lived her life to the fullest, no matter her physical situation.

Kay's Paintings

Catherine (Kaye)  Devlin née Wilson, (1916 - 2012) passed away this morning. I loved my visits with her. She was a delightful person. Despite her hardships, she was a person who responded with dignity to the world around her. She became a nurse, she was a farmer's wife, and raised her children well. She spoke fondly of babysitting her grandchildren. They gave her such joy.

She was 95-years-old. She lived in Perth Community Care Centre, with her husband. She was the chair of the Resident Council and attended Family Council meetings. She wrote and recited her poetry and she painted. She had an incredible attitude towards life and I loved her!

I interviewed Kaye for an international video project. She was obviously excited to do this.
 She tells a charming story in the video.
"Every now and again my husband is very much himself."
One day she gave him a hug and a kiss. He said, "Do you know you're the only one of all the girls that look after me that kisses me? I can't understand why you want to kiss an old man. We won't tell my wife."


One Day On Earth 11.11.11 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

To quote her regarding being in long-term care," I learned so much about myself and about others. Things I hadn't realized when I was nursing."
In this photo, I had taken in Princess Ducky -my granddaughter's stuffed toy!

She loved the spotlight, and bringing a smile to other people's faces. She spoke highly of the people around her.

I helped her create a Valentine door hanging last year. 

  About being in long-term care, "You have to realize it's not the end of your life; it's a part of it."

Kay designed it and I helped her glue it!

Kaye was quick to let you know that her poetry is inspired by her current life situation, but she doesn't let that limit her mind. Her body has been limited in many ways, with aging. She dealt with these things well until this past year when her mobility issues began. She lost her clear vision in the past few months and had to stop painting. She learned to paint at age 75. She wrote and recited fabulous poems.

Kay loved the Fashion Show!

Kaye was so delightful to work with. Always grateful for any time I could give her, yet I got so much back from her!

There was a fashion show in her LTC home and she participated with both grace and glee.

When she was 65, in 1982, Kaye participated in a Perth community theatre production of L'll Abner. She was a true showwoman.

Here is a link to Kaye's Obituary Notice.

Kaye was a busy woman to near the end of her lifespan.

Nintendo's Wii gets seniors back in the game

Kay Devlin may be 91 and recovering from a fracture, but it didn't stop her from winning a bowling tournament at her old age home in eastern Ontario — thanks to Nintendo's Wii.

Video games have become the latest rage at the Perth Community Care Centre, where staff hope virtual sports will help improve the elderly residents' physical health. Kay Devlin, 91, beams during a round of Wii bowling that she later won against Charlie Edwards. (CBC)