Belec, Katherine Joan

Kate was born July 5, 1946 in Rochester, New Hampshire, to George and Betty Bedard (nee Lucey). The eldest of ten children, Katie was a well-loved big sister to her seven brothers and two sisters. In 1959, the Bedard family moved to Canada, where George Bedard worked as a chemical engineer. They first settled in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, where Kate attended St. Edwards Catholic School. It was during these years while attending dances, that Katie met Mike Belec, her future husband. They dated through High School (Loretto Abbey for Kate), and married in 1968, while attending U of T together.

Kate earned her B.A., and B. Ed. and did some teaching before ultimately landing at Bell Canada, where she remained for 25 years.

Kate and Mike welcomed their daughter Jennifer in 1970, and they remained in Willowdale until 1999.

Through their long life together, Kate and Mike enjoyed many adventures. They drove across Canada in their brand-new Volkswagen Beetle with baby Jenny in tow in 1971.

They lived on a sailboat in Toronto harbour for a summer, and owned a cottage in the Kawarthas for 15 happy years. Their many road trips took them all over North America, and they spent years taking canoe trips together.

Kate spent years volunteering at the Toronto Zoo, where she was a fixture. Her many nieces and nephews, and her grandsons benefited greatly from their frequent trips there.

In 1999, Kate retired from Bell and she and Mike left the city for Meaford, where Mike worked as a ski instructor at Blue Mountain.

Kate loved her home in Meaford and her volunteer work with the Scarecrow Invasion, Georgian Theatre Festival, and the school lunch program at GBSS.

Kate doted on her grandsons, Sean (1998), and Jamie (2000), who were the light of her life.

In 2016, Kate was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia dementia. Mike cared for her in their home for two difficult years, but she eventually went into long-term-care.

On September 5, two days before her and Mike’s 56th Anniversary, Kate passed away peacefully. She will be remembered by her friends and family as a quick-witted, life-of-the-party, fun-loving gal.

For Mike Belec she will be remain the love of his life for 63 wonderful years.

A Celebration of Katherine’s Life will take place on October 19th, 2024 at Meaford Hall in the Galleries from 12:30 until 4 p.m., with tributes at 2 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Dying with Dignity would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON   N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.   www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca