Obituary of Kathleen Robertson

Kathleen was born in London, England on July 22, 1920. Between the war years Kathleen grew up in an environment which taught her resilience and independence. She received her initial education in London where she trained and developed her artistic talent - something which she continued up until the day she died. Her artistic talent was put to good use during the war when she was employed by the war industry to draft plans for fighter and bomber aircraft. While on leave she met a young Canadian officer from Saskatoon, Sk., James Lovett Robertson (Robbie). The couple married in 1944, and after the war Kathleen immigrated to Canada as a war bride. Kathleen adapted well to Canadian life and, on a trip to England in 1969, remarked that she "couldn't understand how the English could live like this” While Robbie attended law school in Saskatoon, Kathleen helped by working at Blanche Buchanan's Lady's Wear. Later in the mid 1950s she became interested in swimming and eventually became a life guard at Lathey swimming pool, an interest which resulted in her becoming a supervisor of City of Saskatoon swimming pools. She stayed with this until 1967 when her interest in collecting antiques surpassed her interest in swimming pools. This resulted in her joining the Indefinite Article collectibles store as a part time sales clerk. The main focus was to seek out and trade antiques. This continued for several years until, determined not to be outdone by her husband and two children, all of whom had obtained university degrees, she enrolled in university to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending university Kathleen continued her interest in researching antiques to the point where she was considered an expert and was often asked to provide appraisals for estate collections. She even obtained a commission for the government of Saskatchewan to find antiques for the restoration of Government House in Regina. In 1978 Kathleen graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The process had also rekindled her love of art and she began to work seriously in this field. Her art sold and is hanging in homes and business offices. In March 1989, Robbie died. It was a blow which hurt and never really left. She continued to live in the Saskatoon condo they had shared, but slowly she lost her physical independence. In 2006 she moved into the Sherbrooke Community Centre, where she resided until she died. She found in Sherbrooke a new life. The programs there nurtured her so that her art is hanging in many areas particularly on the 4th floor. While there she was also inspired to dictate and publish a short autobiography of her life. Our family thanks the staff and residents of Sherbrooke. Their support to both Kathleen and to her family was huge. We also thank the doctors and medical staff of the Saskatoon Regional Health authority and the cancer centre for their carp and treatment of Kathleen when she was admitted to hospital from time to time and for outpatient treatments. Kathleen is survived by her son Reynold and his spouse Kay Robertson of Saskatoon, her daughter Roberta Dixon of North Vancouver, and grandsons Christopher Robertson and Trevor Robertson of Edmonton and Saskatoon respectively. If friends are inclined to make a donation please consider the Sherbrooke Community Foundation. Thanks to all.