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Olga Katherine Hutton

July 27, 2003

Olga Katherine (Kay) passed away peacefully in White Rock, B.C. on July 27, 2003 in her 92nd year. Kay was predeceased by Kenneth, her husband of 46 years on July 1, 1994, and is survived by her son Keith; daughter-in-law Brenda; four loving grandchildren: Andrew, Lisa, KC & Jeffrey; sister Clare; brothers Emil & Bill; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kay was born in Germany and came to Canada at the age of one when her parents accepted the opportunity and challenge of homesteading some land near Morris, Manitoba. Kay left the farm for the big city just in time for the Great Depression and World War II. Jobs were plentiful for women during the war years, but afterward, when the men came back from the war, many of the women lost their jobs.

While working for the Canadian Pacific Railway, Kay took a train ride out to Vancouver and decided that was where she wanted to live. Soon thereafter, Kay and her life-long friend Mary decided to drive out to Vancouver - in the month of February. A couple of blizzards later they arrived in Vancouver where Kay met and later married Ken. They settled in the Westmount area of West Vancouver, but within a few years, health problems cost Ken his business. This led to the next phase of Kay's life.

Faced with the responsibility of providing for her family, Kay decided that she would try to sell real estate. Now, this was in 1956, long before it was fashionable for women to sell real estate. It was a good decision. Kay was immediately successful, selling 30 homes in her first year. She went on to lead all West Vancouver Realtors in sales for a year, and won various awards during her career.

Recovering his health, Ken joined her in real estate sales until their retirement to Lantzville, B.C. in the early 1970's. Kay enjoyed 15 years of living on the water, harvesting clams & oysters, and building her garden.

In 1985, the arrival of their first grandchild brought Kay and Ken back to the mainland, and the purchase of what would be their last home in the White Rock area. Kay has lived there since that time, enjoying her wonderful neighbours, and looking forward to visits from her grandchildren.

Many thanks to those wonderful nieghbours for their companionship; to Paul Glowa, a gentleman in the finest sense of the word; to Dr. Chlebak for helping Kay live independently to within a week of her passing; and to the staff of Peace Arch Hospital who are absolutely second to none. There will be no service in accordance with Kay's wishes. Anyone wishing to make a donation could consider Peach Arch Hospital or another hospital of their choice.