Obituary of Marjorie Hazel KAY

November 1, 1926 - September 28, 2022

On Wednesday 28 September 2022 Marjorie Hazel Kay passed away at the age of ninety-five. Born to Lucy Bell and Alvin Martin in Grand Valley her nick name on the farm was “Toots”.  Mardi, her nickname as an adult, had three options to leave the farm, become a teacher, nurse or secretary.  Her mom suggested secretary school in Kitchener, in part to get Mardi to do other things than read books and Photoplay, a movie magazine.

She worked in Ottawa for the Navy during War II, and eventually moved to the big city, Toronto, to work for Confederation Life.  For dinners she would have her mom’s homemade tomato chutney on white bread since lunch was really dinner back then. On the weekend she would return to Grand Valley to visit her beloved parents and get a new jar of chutney.  Other vocations included a stay-at-home mom, bank teller and food demonstrator.  Although Mardi considered herself shy, she was a great salesperson (the food she was demonstrating would sell out most days) and people remember her big warm smile and shiny blond/white full hair. 

Mardi met Harry Kendall Kay at Confederation Life and they were married 27 years.  Their first date lasted over 12 hours.  When Harry brought Mardi home just after 10 pm, the doors were locked since it was past curfew.  They ended up at Fran’s, a 24-hour dinner, talking all night until the doors were open to her boarding house. 

Mardi’s home was full of dark/bright painted walls, art and music, loud music.  She loved movies and actors.  Every year the Oscar’s were celebrated with a chip/dip smorgasbord, no cooking required.  Solving crosswords, reading People Magazine, Vanity Fair and biographies were favorite past times, perhaps while sipping on a dry martini with an olive.  Mardi enjoyed travelling as well with trips to the UK with friends and to Cuba, China and Italy with family.

Grandma was a girl boss, she knew what she liked, and didn’t, and let you know it.  Chelsea and Jordin enjoyed her sense of humour and sense of style. 

Mom liked things fancy, and she enjoyed a glass of full bodied red for lunches out and dinners in.  She thought all the veggies she ate, the walking and the red wine got her to ninety-five.  Mom always said “old age is for the birds” (she didn’t like birds) and to “enjoy yourself and have fun whenever you can!”  “Que sera sera.  Whatever will be, will be, que sera, sera.”  Mom has left us with many memories filled with laughter.  She will be missed greatly by her children (Kendall, Scott, and Michele), son-in-law (Thomas), her grandchildren (Chelsea and Jordin) and Kendall’s partner (Lazara).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to Sunnybrook's Garry Hurvitz Brian Science Centre.

Online condolences may be made at www.imfunerals.com

In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc. has been given the honour to serve the Kay Family.