It is with great sadness I announce the passing of my mother, Kathleen Ann Howitt, on January 25, 2025.
Kathleen (Kay) is survived by her only son, Wayne D. Shaheen. Kay found her greatest joy and fulfilment in being Wayne’s mother. Kay also “adopted” Wayne’s best friend, William J. Watts, of Toronto.
Kathleen always had a positive attitude, loved music and had many friends.
Kathleen was predeceased by Douglas J. Howitt in 2013 after 34 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her first husband, Douglas J. Shaheen, Wayne’s father, in 1998.
Born April 26, 1933, Kathleen began her career as a young banker at the Imperial Bank in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. She and I followed my father to California in 1961 where she continued her career at the Bank of America.
Our family returned to Canada in 1965 making Guelph our home. The culmination of Kathleen’s career was as the head teller at the CIBC on St. George’s Square for a number of years. Later she was an executive secretary at Semex Canada then was a bookkeeper at an accounting firm prior to early retirement.
Kay was a dedicated animal lover, especially cats. In remembrance of Kay, donations to the Guelph Humane Society would be appreciated.
A special thanks go out to the staff at the Guelph General Hospital and Grand River Hospital for their care in Kathleen’s last couple of weeks.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Kathleen (Kay) A. Howitt in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.