Rutherglen (Nee Stanley), Kathleen Violet

Kathleen Violet Rutherglen (Nee Stanley)

February 14, 1924 –May 15, 2020

The Rutherglen family announces with great sadness the death of their beloved mother and grandmother- Kathleen (Bunty). She left us peacefully May 15 at the age of 96. Kathleen was born on February 14, 1924 in Sheffield, England to Rowland and Catharine Stanley. At the age of 9 her family moved to Worthing on the south coast, where she began school commuting by bicycle and train to attend her studies. 

Kathleen’s younger years were dominated by WW2, as a teenager she was subjected to the traumatic events of the war. On her commutes to school she was strafed by the gun fire of German planes which she would dodge subsequently crashing into ditches. Her and other girls had to take turns going on fire watch by standing on building tops waiting for German planes to drop fire bombs where they would run to alert crews. She attended college and became a legal secretary. 

Working in England in the early 1940s, Kathleen met her future husband Tudor John Rutherglen, a Canadian serviceman temporarily stationed there. She immigrated to Canada in 1947, arriving in Montreal by ship and traveling by train across Canada to Nelson. It was a very big culture shock coming to the wilds of BC. She wed Tudor that same year and began their life together. The Rutherglen’s welcomed Kathleen as she adjusted to her new life. Living in Nelson for a short time before moving to Longbeach where they built a home and had four children. Working as a legal secretary her whole life, she was highly respected for her well rounded knowledge and determination to help others.

Kathleen’s hobbies included gardening, knitting, reading, crosswords, watching documentaries and traveling. Up until the time of her passing Kathleen still drove, on nice days she would travel around the Kootenays to her favorite spots with book in hand and a lunch. Sharp as an arrow up to the day of her passing, she will be greatly missed and loved by all.

Survived by her children Bob (Linda), Elaine (Bob), Dulcie (Dave), Anne (Mike) and her seven grandchildren Melanie, Carley, Brittany, Jamie, Holly, Adam and Robert; six great grandchildren Robert, Kayla, Ashlynn, Brooke, Robbie and Jasmine; and a great great granddaughter Ellie; sister-in-law Pauline and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her three siblings (Ray, Wilf and Winifred) two nieces (Elaine and Heather) and a great grandson (Issac).

The family will hold a service at a later date when gatherings are permitted.