December 14, 1938 – December 28, 2018
Kay passed away peacefully on December 28th, 2018 in the loving and professional care of Mount Cartier Court in Revelstoke, BC. Preceded in death by her parents John and Lois Davis and husband Ken Magnes.
Kay was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, the youngest of four daughters to John and Lois Davis. The family moved to Renown, SK, and there the family operated the Co-op store including gas station, grocery store, lumber yard and the post office. Kay learned to work hard and give back to the community during this time, a quality she continued for the rest of her life.
Kay attended nursing college after high school in Saskatoon, SK. Kay often came home during breaks from school to help out at the store. On one such occasion, a young man named Ken Magnes had come to town working as a holiday relief telegrapher for the railroad and was eating his meals at the Davis household. The attraction between Kay and Ken started at first sight and continued for life. Kay and Ken married on July 2 nd , 1960 and had three children, all three born in Saskatchewan.
In 1968 the family moved to Revelstoke, BC as Ken got a job as an insurance agent for Fruit Growers Mutual, a division of the Co-op. Kay stayed home for a few years and then returned to nursing and started at Queen Victoria Hospital
Revelstoke when it opened in 1972. As an Operating Room nurse, whether Kay was in the OR at times of joy like the birth of a new child and at times of sorrow, she always remained calm and organized. In 1988, Kay became the hospital
Director of Nursing and remained in that position until 1993, when she retired to enjoy golf, travel, gardening and time with her friends and family.
Kay and Ken always had a deep love for Revelstoke and they showed this love and commitment through their work with many community organizations; one of Kay’s favorites was the United Church Women’s group. For years, if you got
married or had a large group dinner in Revelstoke for any reason it was likely prepared by the UCW. Kay just loved the camaraderie of the group and supporting the Church in any way she could. She taught Sunday school and was in the choir and Church remained a huge part of her life until health became an issue.
During retirement, Kay and Ken traveled with close friends to locations near and far including trips down under and to Europe a number of times. Both remained active in the community as long as their health allowed and probably the most notable thing they were part of was the involvement in the community revitalization project and the Plaza on Mackenzie Ave. For many years you would see them on summer nights sitting in the plaza listening to music and chatting with their many friends.
Ken and Kay also put tremendous effort to keep the extended family connected and every five years for 25 years organized and hosted a family reunion in Revelstoke often with around 80 to 100 people attending from all over western Canada. Today that strong family bond continues in a big part because of their efforts and the love they shared with each and every member of the family near and far.
Kay is survived by her children: Charlene of Calgary, Brad (Wendy) of Victoria, BC; Sheldon (Tami) of Edmonton, AB; and grandchildren Denon, Garan and Pyper.
Remembering her always are Kay’s siblings: Ruth Campbell (Don, deceased) Nanaimo, BC; Evalyn Mudry (Mervin, deceased) Watrous, SK; Joan McIntyre (Derwood Anderson, deceased; Charlie McIntyre) Winnipeg, MB – including
many nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held April 20, 2019 in Revelstoke, BC.
In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society in Kay and Ken’s name would be kindly appreciated to support the important work being done by this Society.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Kay’s family by viewing her obituary at:
www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home.
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