It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden and untimely passing of Kathy Leong-Lanthier in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Thursday, September 20, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Jordon; her parents, Wai and Winnie Leong; sister, Connie (Ray), brother Kelly; her nieces and nephews: Taren, Resa, Kayla, Bravon and Kai; godparents Dora & David Leung, her many aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, extended family as well as many loving friends especially Elsa Lee-Dhar (Ottawa) and the "Salsa Gang".
Kathy was born in Winnipeg, MB on September 15, 1971. She attended Peretz School, Forrest Park Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, Garden City Collegiate, and the University of Manitoba. At 16 years of age, Kathy started working at Woolco within the candy department and later at Walmart as a photo technician until she retired at the ripe old age of 36 (she really wanted that employee discount card earned only after 20 years of service). Kathy developed her financial skills while working at Comark/ Ricki's and in 2001, moved to AirCanada, working in the Finance Division. Her time at Air Canada fueled her passion for travel.
In 2006 at a salsa dance class, Kathy met the love of her life, Jordon Lanthier. She brought true love and passion to Jordon's world. They became inseparable, marrying on May 2nd, 2009 fulfillng Jordon's promise on their first date when he said he would marry her some day. Their life together was filled with salsa dancing with friends, travelling the world and of course enjoying all of the food that Winnipeg and the world had to offer (Kathy always liked to have her "options"). Kathy enjoyed exploring and visiting new and exciting places (especially if there was food involved) including Cuba, Australia, Hawaii, Beijing, and Singapore. She enjoyed baking and was always up to the challenge of trying a new baking recipe which Jordon was more than happy to sample. She baked the best chocolate banana cake hands down, just ask the Salsa Gang. Kathy was a gorgeous woman. She radiated kindness. Just by smiling Kathy could fill a room with warmth, and brought joy to the lives of all of those fortunate enough to have known her.
What moves through us now is a silence. A quiet sadness. A longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember that you lived. Your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget. If it is possible to believe in an angel on earth, then Kathy was the embodiment of that possibility. To those who knew and loved her, we can only hope that with time the pain of our loss will be replaced with the warmth of the memories of our beautiful, sweet, smiling Kathy.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI know you are watching all of us ,,, with the beautiful smile you have! Cheers! Missing you! ❤️
We all miss you, Mom & Dad.
Cassie is 9 going on 19 with an attitude. Lol. She has your artistic eye and attention to detail when it comes to the arts.
Kai is in his 3rd year apprenticeship as an electrician.
Our family gatherings are getting bigger every year.
Connie & Ray are now grand parents. Taren & Michael, Resa & Julian,
Kayla & Justin are having kids and it’s amazing to see. Eventually Bravon & Pauline will start their family.
We miss you everyday!
Take care of MoM & Dad.
Love and miss ya! ❤️
Kel
Lots of things happenings. Ellie and Averie are both going to preschool. Resa had #2 Olivia and Kayla had #1 - Kash!
busy, but it's all good! Take care.
i know you're taking good care of grandma + grandpa.. like you always have. love you <3
Now it’s only Con and I
Love you
Susan
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hopefully your spending your day with
Mom and Dad.
We miss so much!
Love Always!
Kel
Sus
10 years seems like yesterday. miss you lots.
con
Carla and I came by to wish you a
HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!
Con is right, this would have been a milestone and wish we could celebrate it with you and Dad.
We miss and love you lots.
Kel
Mom Lanthier
Jordie
it would have been a milestone today!! LOL. miss you lots. Wish you were here to see Ellie
Enjoy your day! Lots of LOVE! <3
Holidays are always hard, miss you lots!
Another year missing and thinking of you!
Happy Birthday!
Love always!
Kel
Can't believe it's been 8 years. So much you missed. Happy 49th birthday.
Kathy -Mom
Resa and Julian got married last August. it's those special times that remind us of how much time has gone by and how much we miss you.....
Today I am reminded of how much time has gone by and it still feels like yesterday. Miss both and Dad.
Con
I hope Dad and you are celebrating your special day. ❤️ We all really miss you!
Lots have been going on this year.
* Kai graduated grade 12...he is unsure what he wants to do but onto the next chapter of his life.
* Cassandra started kindergarten this year...there is reason her middle name is Kathy. She looks so much like you and is an artist who loves to draw like you.
* Ray’s 60th Birthday...even though I know he doesn’t like surprises, he was surprised.
* Kayla had her new store grand opening...the store is gorgeous and she is doing well.
* Resa & Julian’s wedding...it was a beautiful wedding.
I love and miss you so much.
Please take care of Dad.
Kel
Another year. Time doesn't make it easier. miss you lots!!
Con
Another year, it doesn't get easier. Miss you lots...
I can't believe it's been 4 years since we said good-bye.
Just the other day I came by to wish you "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
I wish I could say September & October are easy months but I can't. I finally sorted through some of your pictures and started to scan them onto a hard drive.
I have ask, Why??? Just because you worked in a photo lab didn't mean you needed duplicates and triplicates of the same picture.
I did come across a picture of a family dinner in the basement that made me laugh. We didn't have enough chairs. So we used the sofa as seats and needed pillows to get the right height. Lol!
I hope you and Dad are ok? Don't worry about Mom. Connie and I are looking after her. I love you and miss you! Look after Dad.
Kel. ❤️
Not a day goes by I don't think of you!! Miss you!
Enjoy your special day! Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about you and Dad. Miss and love you!
Kel
sorry haven't been posting lately. seems alot has changed. when it really comes down to it, family is who you can really count on. We are still here. Take care of Dad, he is in a better place now with you and goo ma. con
Today Dad decided he wanted to be back with you.
I guess with all the changes these last 3 years it was more than he could handle.
You leaving us...
Losing the Teakwood home...
Goo Ma passing away...
He finally had enough.
I'm sorry Kathy. I didn't keep my promise and look after Dad.
When you left us Dad asked you to wait for him.
So please look after one another.
Love you!
Kelly.
Leave a Tribute
I know you are watching all of us ,,, with the beautiful smile you have! Cheers! Missing you! ❤️
Our First Date!
I first met Kathy in our salsa class at University of Winnipeg (Thanks Rommel for having the class and Gomer for bringing Kathy along!!) She walked in and I saw her through the mirror - Black pants- Burgundy top and hair down absolutely stunning - I knew right then. Well thanks to Rommel's expert teaching and well timed partner switches until I got to Kat I was able to chat with her. (Rommel didnt call switch for a awhile after I got to her (thanks!).
Classes went on - the debate starts as to weather Kat was seeing Donny or not - well I worked up the nerve to ask her one day (as she arrived before Donny- big surprise there - sorry bud!) I pretended to tie my shoes and I asked if her boyfriend would be coming along tonight and she said "boyfriend??" and I was like "yes the guy you come with..." and her response "ohh Donny ..well lets just say he is out of my league..." what I heard - "GREEN LIGHT"... After class we went out for dinner and as the night went on I made sure others in the group disappeared - leaving Rommel -Grace and Kat and I going for dessert. I asked Rommel to get lost on the way to the dessert place so I could get some alone time and get Kats number - He did - although the dessert place was only a few blocks away from Hue's on First - thanks again Rommel (not sure how Kat didnt pick up on it).
I called her a few days later and asked her out (to the New Muisc Festival) - it was about 8:30/9 at night and I was driving on Corydon ...she actually turned me down, saying she had Volleyball. I was like okay - alright then (heart breaking)...call ends...She calls me back about 5 minutes later and asks if the ticket is still available and I said no it gone...I heard her voice crack (payback)...and I was like kidding.
So first date night... totally nervous... but let me just say ALWAYS check the musical line up before inviting a girl out. We go out to eat at King's Head for East Indian then go to the concert - the piece the WSO is playing is about the bombing of Japan... OH MY GOD! you could hear a pin drop on the way out.. dont get me wrong great piece but not first date stuff perhaps Blue Danube or Rhapsody in Blue.
So we are walking out - I am thinking I have totally blown it... and Kat smiles and says "well that was interesting"...and begins to laugh with that amazing smile and I laugh and begin to relax.
I hope to salvage the night and off to the Hotel Fort Garry for dessert and coffee and the jazz trio. We sat talked, she had tea and lemon dessert and I, hazelnut cake and coffee...she asked me what I look for in relationship. I told her and said I am the type of guy if I want something I go for it ... and she asked me for example and I said easy .."you ... one day I will marry you "
Kat then choaked on her cake - we talked for another hour or so about our families and views. Back to the car and I was going to drive her home and she said "well that was a great night" and I said "it was almost perfect " and she looked at me oddly and said "why do you say that?" My response was "because you didn't have these"...and I pulled 6 gerber daisies out from my back seat and gave them to her.
Well I got my first kiss - and it was truly a perfect night and I knew then what I will always know - that I loved her from the moment I saw her and that she truly was a perfect gift and woman and wife for me!
A Mouse in the House
A Funny story came to mind the other day when I discovered a mouse in my house!! We were renovating the house - preparing for us to move in. We were in the demolition phase and were pulling the wall down when a vent cover fell to reveal a mouse! Their eyes met (Kat and the mouse) and all you could hear was Kat in her best Marg Simpson voice saying "get it out get it out" as she ran back and forth across the basement.
We all watched (the Salsa gang) as she ran back and forth at least 3 or 4 times and then suddenly Kat was gone... I called out no answer - I called her cell and she answered ....when I asked where she was she replied "McPhillips". I think she broke a land speed record (less than 10 seconds" on her way to get mouse bait. - We never did see the mouse again (I think it had a heart attack and exploded based on Kat's reaction).
As for our current mouse (named Herbert - thanks Greg) - he didnt make it - I cornered him in a getto-blaster and then tossed him outside in to recycling bin ...he now is a mousicle...Kat would be proud of me!!
Love you always