Katherine Annie Griffiths nee Ferguson
June 19, 1926 – May 3, 2021
Fortitude. If asked for a single word to describe a remarkable woman, fortitude would most definitely describe Katherine Griffiths. With our sudden loss of Kay, we have lost not only a mother, grandmother, friend, and activist, but also someone who was a great source of grit, determination, strength and endurance. Kay was many things to many people, but most of all she was someone who constantly taught those around her how to question, explore and act to make the world a better place.
Katherine Annie Ferguson was born on June 19, 1926 in St. Thomas, ON. She was the eldest of four children—Duncan (Betty), Rowena (George Jenkins), and David—whom she helped raise as her mother was frail. She grew up on a dairy farm and was actively involved in all things agriculture for her entire life. She graduated with a teaching certificate from London Teacher’s College and later from Knox College, Toronto as a “Deaconess” in 1957 at a time when women could not be ordained in the Church. She taught elementary school and high school English in St. Thomas and the surrounding area for 18 years until she started the second stage of her life in Oxdrift, ON.
Kay first met the man who would become her husband, Charlie Griffiths, in 1953 while on a Junior Farmer’s exchange to Britain to see Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. They were married on June 30, 1966—the day after school finished for the year. While Kay never returned to teaching, she did spend over twenty years as a school board trustee and volunteered with many organizations, including: the Oxdrift Women’s Institute, the Dryden & District Agricultural Society, Patricia Gardens, 4-H, the Conservative Party, and St. Luke’s Anglican Church. Her passion was always to do things for others (she prepared, delivered and served tea parties at Patricia Gardens until she was 91) and she spent countless summers organizing church camps for youth.
Kay and Charlie had one child, Roger (Kelly) and three grandchildren (Alison, Valerie, and Charlotte). They consider themselves fortunate to have had a grandma next door to visit every day to spend time baking, sewing, gardening, playing games and talking about fond memories and world events. Her greatest gift to the girls was to teach them strength of character and to believe in themselves. When asked for a piece of advice for a recent school project, Kay replied, “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way”.
A Private Family Service and Interment will take place at a later date.
Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Anglican Church of a Local Charity of Choice through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca
