Obituary for Kathryn Rayner
Rayner, Kathryn “Kathy” – March 31, 1958-November 9, 2022
Kathryn “Kathy” Anne Rayner (Young) (nee Popadynetz) entered fully into the presence of the Lord in her 65th year after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved wife of Tom, sister of Tony (Anne-Marie), mother of Jessica (Brendan), and bonus mother of Andrea (Derek) and Nathan (Kathryn). Proud grandmother of Lucas, Charlie, Owen, Lily, Violet, John and Benjamin. Treasured daughter-in-law of June and the late John Rayner. She was predeceased by her parents Andy (Andrew) Popadynetz and Dolly (Catherine) Popadynetz.
After growing up in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Kathy ventured first to Peterborough to complete her ECE at Sir Sandford Fleming College then to the “Big Smoke” of Toronto to formally begin her career in childcare. After rising to the ranks of supervisor at the Columbus Centre, Kathy later went on to run Junction Day Care and Centennial Child Care. She left daycare administration to return to her passion, working directly with kids, leading her to her final posting at Runnymede Public School in the kindergarten classroom. Kathy’s grandkids smiled with her silly songs and loved her crafts, and there are also countless children (and now adults) across the GTA who have loved their time in Miss Kathy’s classroom.
The first 20 years of Kathy’s adult life were focused on raising Jessica, living first on Garden Ave. then Geoffrey St. in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood. As a regular parishioner of High Park Baptist Church, Kathy taught Sunday School, sang alto in the choir and once Jessica moved away to university, it was where Kathy found the love of her life, Tom.
In almost 20 years of married bliss, Kathy and Tom travelled the world, including spending eight months based in London, England, just a stone’s throw from Kathy’s happiest place on earth: the Lake District. It was during this time in the UK, Kathy lived out many dreams, including seeing the Mona Lisa. She did this all with her partner Tom by her side.
If there was a second happiest place on earth for Kathy, it was Dockside in Collingwood, spending time near the water, cross country skiing, golfing at Shelburne and puzzling with a good glass of wine or a frosty pint selected by Tom. After spending every weekend up north for many years, Kathy and Tom moved permanently in 2021, making the shores of Georgian Bay home.
Much appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Dhani at Princess Margaret Hospital and Dr. Singh at Royal Victoria Hospital for overseeing Kathy’s cancer journey. A special thank you to Dr. Boyd for Kathy’s palliative care for the past year and the nurses, staff and volunteers at Hospice Georgian Triangle who gave Kathy so much love and care in her final days.
A celebration of life will be held in the Spring 2023. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Hospice Georgian Triangle (Campbell House) https://hospicegeorgiantriangle.com/donate/ would be greatly appreciated.
Kathryn “Kathy” Anne Rayner (Young) (nee Popadynetz) entered fully into the presence of the Lord in her 65th year after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved wife of Tom, sister of Tony (Anne-Marie), mother of Jessica (Brendan), and bonus mother of Andrea (Derek) and Nathan (Kathryn). Proud grandmother of Lucas, Charlie, Owen, Lily, Violet, John and Benjamin. Treasured daughter-in-law of June and the late John Rayner. She was predeceased by her parents Andy (Andrew) Popadynetz and Dolly (Catherine) Popadynetz.
After growing up in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Kathy ventured first to Peterborough to complete her ECE at Sir Sandford Fleming College then to the “Big Smoke” of Toronto to formally begin her career in childcare. After rising to the ranks of supervisor at the Columbus Centre, Kathy later went on to run Junction Day Care and Centennial Child Care. She left daycare administration to return to her passion, working directly with kids, leading her to her final posting at Runnymede Public School in the kindergarten classroom. Kathy’s grandkids smiled with her silly songs and loved her crafts, and there are also countless children (and now adults) across the GTA who have loved their time in Miss Kathy’s classroom.
The first 20 years of Kathy’s adult life were focused on raising Jessica, living first on Garden Ave. then Geoffrey St. in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood. As a regular parishioner of High Park Baptist Church, Kathy taught Sunday School, sang alto in the choir and once Jessica moved away to university, it was where Kathy found the love of her life, Tom.
In almost 20 years of married bliss, Kathy and Tom travelled the world, including spending eight months based in London, England, just a stone’s throw from Kathy’s happiest place on earth: the Lake District. It was during this time in the UK, Kathy lived out many dreams, including seeing the Mona Lisa. She did this all with her partner Tom by her side.
If there was a second happiest place on earth for Kathy, it was Dockside in Collingwood, spending time near the water, cross country skiing, golfing at Shelburne and puzzling with a good glass of wine or a frosty pint selected by Tom. After spending every weekend up north for many years, Kathy and Tom moved permanently in 2021, making the shores of Georgian Bay home.
Much appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Dhani at Princess Margaret Hospital and Dr. Singh at Royal Victoria Hospital for overseeing Kathy’s cancer journey. A special thank you to Dr. Boyd for Kathy’s palliative care for the past year and the nurses, staff and volunteers at Hospice Georgian Triangle who gave Kathy so much love and care in her final days.
A celebration of life will be held in the Spring 2023. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Hospice Georgian Triangle (Campbell House) https://hospicegeorgiantriangle.com/donate/ would be greatly appreciated.