With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Katherine (Kay) Diane Bury at Lisaard House on August 18, 2025, at the age of 88.
She was a proud mother of Veronica (Kevin), a loving sister to Zita (Don), a cherished aunt to Heather (Alan) and great-aunt to Jamie and Lily. She was predeceased by her brother Stan.
Kay was born June 16, 1937, in Siret, Romania. Shortly after birth, her family immigrated to Canada, initially living in the Edmonton area, then moving to St. Catherines before settling in Toronto. Kay spent most of her life in Toronto until moving to Cambridge in her final years.
Breaking through barriers, Kay was one of the first female surgeons in Canada, graduating from the University of Toronto medical school in 1962, where she met her nearest and dearest friends. Kay spent the initial part of her career working throughout the US and Canada, mainly at the Toronto Wellesley Hospital and as an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.
In 1976, Veronica was born and Kay left Toronto to take a role as Chief of Surgery in Dryden, Ontario. Kay spent much of her time in Dryden caring for local First Nations communities. In the mid-1980s, Kay returned to Toronto, opening a family practice in Etobicoke where she spent the remainder of her medical career.
Kay was multifaceted. She lived with bipolar disorder and navigated her career as a woman in a male-dominated field. She cared for thousands of patients and acted as a teacher, mentor and role model to many. She was the matriarch of her family and had many dear friends, some of whom she stayed close to for over 65 years.
Her passion for travel and adventure was contagious. She was a phenomenal bridge player, loved cooking, food, and a good book club. If you knew Kay, you knew her direct, pragmatic approach to life was to be respected, and her love for anyone she took into her inner circle was unwavering.
In 2022, Kay was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She received excellent care at the medical day clinic at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and at Lisaard House in her final days.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, September 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. with guests being received at 10 a.m. at the Corbett Funeral Home, 95 Dundas St., Cambridge. A reception will follow in the party room in the penthouse at the Waterscape condo, 170 Water Street North, Cambridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer care at Cambridge Memorial Hospital or Lisaard House.
Livestream link to the service: View Livestream
Memories and notes of condolence may be shared at Funeral Home Not Listed.
