It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my mother Kathleen Lillian Sosnowski (Kay) in her 93rd year. She was born September 15, 1931. Kathleen was born one of a twin to parents Stuart and Lily Young, the third of five sisters – Dorothy, Evelyn, Berniece and Shirley in the town of Bowmanville, Ontario, population only 4,080 people at that time.

Up until her 13th year the war was still very much active, she tells of being frightened and hiding in a ditch at one time as there was a German Prisoner of War Camp in Bowmanville.

Her childhood memories are of working in the large garden alongside her father tending to the vegetables and fruit trees. How so grateful that she had fresh vegetables and fruit to eat at any time.

She watched her mother churn cream and butter. She could go to the pantry at any time and grab an apple from out of the big apple barrel or a sweet from the pantry. Her mother always saying, “Shut the pantry door behind you, you’ll let out the cold.”

She had memories of following the pea wagon down the street with the other kids and cracking walnuts on the sidewalk with a rock, how delicious the white meat was.

I guess her love of cooking began at this time.

She talked about a good childhood exploring the barn, hanging out the door of the loft. Many hours spent in the playhouse, feeding chickens and the cow.

She tells of ice skating at the outdoor skating rink in the forties on Temperance Street to the music of Sugar Blues.

She had four best chums who were known to hitch hike along the #2 Highway, age 14, through the hole in the wall Newcastle all the way to Cobourg Beach, with 10 cents in their pockets to see the sailors depart from the ships. Needless to say her parents never knew. Life was simpler and safer then.

Kathleen met her husband Peter while on a date with some friends at the Globe Restaurant in Oshawa. Peter fancied her and would drive down to see her, which she would never be home. The last time he thought this is it, and she was, so he took her to the show and decided that she was the one for him.

They married November 30, 1948 – married 66 years. He worked at Duplate and built her a house that she spent her remaining years in. She was a postal worker and then stayed home to look after her family.

She could be heard singing in the kitchen to Red River Valley and You Are My Sunshine.

I can also tell you Kathleen had the Irish temper.

She so enjoyed getting together with her sisters and family picnics. My mother was a simple woman and loved her family.

She welcomed three grandchildren into the fold David, Lisa and Shaun. She was a good loving grandmother always there for them, teaching them many things.
Kathleen was predeceased by her husband Peter, Baby Sosnowski, and her son Gary. She is survived by her daughter Lorrie and her three grandchildren who she loved dearly David, Lisa and Shaun. Her beautiful great grandchildren Kirsten, Allysa, Jacob, Madison, Isaac, Leila and Noah; and three great-great grandchildren Colby, Kinsley and Addison.

We love you,
the end of an era.