In Loving Memory of

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. M. Kaye Kerr. Kaye passed away at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Canada, after a brief illness.

Born in Niagara Falls, NY, Kaye grew up in Youngstown, NY, and graduated from Lewiston-Porter High School in 1959. It was in Youngstown that she met Ian Kerr, and the two were married on September 6, 1962, at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Kaye earned her B.A. in Zoology from the University of Connecticut before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, where she completed both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Child Development. Between 1964 and 1967, she served as an instructor at the University of Minnesota.

Her professional path as a clinical psychologist began in the United States. In 1969, she moved to Canada and joined the University of Winnipeg as a lecturer in psychology. In 1970, she was appointed coordinator of the Developmental Studies Program, a role she held until 1989. During this time, she played key roles in starting the university’s Child Studies Centre in 1971 and its Child Care Training Program in 1983. She served as director of the latter from 1992 to 1998.

Over her career, Kaye authored numerous papers and articles on clinical psychology and child development. In 1984 she co-authored Procedures for Meetings and Organizations with Dr. Hubert King. This book, with three editions, is still used as a reference today.

For these and other contributions Kaye received the Clarence Atchison Award for Excellence in Community Service in 1986. She was the third recipient of this honor.

After her retirement from the University of Winnipeg in 2001, shortly following Ian’s, Kaye embraced her love of travel. The couple enjoyed annual summer visits to Youngstown, New York, winter holidays in Sebastian, Vero Beach, and Sanibel Island, Florida, and early springtime in England. Their travels also took them throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

In addition to travel, Kaye was deeply passionate about ancestry, photography, politics, and gardening. An experienced and meticulous researcher, she spent countless hours tracing family lineage and uncovering cultural heritage spanning generations. She and Ian, who also loved gardening, explored many English gardens together and cultivated their own floral sanctuaries at home. Each summer they brought friends, family, and neighbors to their garden in Winnipeg to enjoy the beauty they had created.

Kaye had a joyful spirit, a wonderful sense of humor, and an unforgettable belly laugh that was always accompanied by her radiant smile.

A year ago, we never thought

We’d be without you.

You’re once in a lifetime.

We loved you so, and always will.

We hear your pleasant laughter still.

It came so free and with such ease,

As if upon a gentle breeze.

Your kindness we will not forget.

Your pastures now are better yet.

It’s best to smile and not to cry.

We bid farewell, but not good-bye.

Kaye was predeceased by her beloved husband Ian. She is survived by two nieces, Tina Oddy and Kim Leabo; and two nephews, James Stephenson and Stephen Stephenson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kaye & Ian Kerr’s memory may be made to the:

ALS Society of Manitoba

2A- 1717 Dublin Avenue

Winnipeg, MB R3H 0H2

https://hope@alsmb.ca/donate/

Kaye’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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