Kathleen Kinsman Tudor (nee Richardson) died on July 19, 2019, after a short illness, in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce and eight of her nine siblings. She is survived by her three children, Martha, David (Nancy) and Rebecca (Lester), six grandchildren, Jakon, Jesse, Cora, Koby, Arlo, and Chloe, three great-grandchildren, Milo, Remy, and Sam, and her brother Karl (Pat).
Kathleen was born on February 7, 1925, in her beloved village of Pleasant Point, across the water from Lockeport, in the house she retired to and lived in until her death. Her father, a fisherman, had bought the house down the road from his parents. After completing grade 11 (the highest grade given then) in 1941, Kathleen took a two-week teacher training course and taught in a one-room school the next year. In 1942, she joined the RCAF(WD) and was assigned to Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Halifax. There she met her great friend Alison, whose family she lived with in Montreal when she took her veteran’s grant and went to Sir George Williams University, graduating in 1949. In 1947, she married Bruce, a fellow student; their union lasted more than 50 years, until his death. They both completed a teacher training diploma and taught in the Quebec school system for several years. In 1955, Kathleen, Bruce and their first child, Martha, sailed to England, where Kathleen taught for two years in a secondary modern school in London. There, David was born at home with the help of a midwife. Back in Montreal, Kathleen received her master’s degree, studying part-time, and their third child, Rebecca, was born. Later, in Toronto, she earned her PhD in English literature from the University of Toronto.
Kathleen was literary to the core and a champion of local writers. She taught at Saint Mary’s University for 20 years, having convinced the administration to add Creative Writing to its syllabus. Upon retirement she established Roseway Publishing, with a mandate to publish first-time South Shore authors. Hers was one of the first regional presses in the Maritimes and her authors won many awards. She was particularly proud of publishing, in 1992, Out of the Depths, Isabelle Knockwood’s harrowing account of life at the Schubenacadie Indian Residential School. Kathleen’s experience as a board member of Juniper House, a women’s shelter in Yarmouth, led her to hold workshops for women from across the province to encourage them to express their voices, which resulted in the 1996 publication of In the Open: Women Survivors of Abuse Tell Their Stories. More than one woman was afforded protection in Kathleen’s home over the years. Kathleen established Community Books to facilitate the publication of local histories, memoirs, stories, and poetry by authors both local and from across Canada. She worked to break down the stigma associated with self-publishing and would not consider works that were racist, sexist or offensive to other marginalized groups.
Her own published literary endeavours include six novels (Getting Away, Deep Roots, Dirty Deeds, The House on Burnt Hill, Innocents Die, The Forties Dress), short stories (Five Square Miles, Trouble in the Tropics), two CDs of short stories, read by herself (If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another, The Life and Times of Jane Plusplus), and most recently a book of poetry (Undercurrents). Despite her many achievements, she exhibited a perhaps typical Maritime understatedness when it came to her own projects, but she was quick to encourage and extol the talents of others. Her creativity encompassed several avenues. With her good friend Peter Oliver, she hosted several Equinox Extravaganzas, always with a compelling theme, from garlic to theatre; she gathered hand-crafted lighthouses from across Nova Scotia for an outdoor exhibition in her field overlooking the water; she worked at portraying her beautiful view in watercolours; and she pursued numerous other artistic activities.
She cared deeply about her community (local and global) and gave back in many ways: she was on the board of the Shelburne County Arts Council, she taught English in the Gambia and in China, she fundraised for Stephen Lewis’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers in support of AIDS orphans in Africa, and she was involved in many local campaigns for social justice. In recent years she despaired of the state of the world we are leaving to our children.
Kathleen was her own woman, and in that she was a role model for her children and grandchildren and her many friends and acquaintances. She was a visionary, a committed socialist, a staunch atheist, a compassionate humanist, a beloved teacher, and an inspiring mentor. She was strong, loving, generous, creative and fun. She also had a fierce side that was felt by those who inadvertently crossed her. She was always up for a game of Spite and Malice, which she usually won. She was a force of nature and she will be deeply missed.
Kathleen’s family are very grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at Roseway Hospital for their incredible care and compassion. A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held on August 24 at 2 pm at her home at 322 Pleasant Point Road, RR1 Lockeport.
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Molly Hurd
I was fortunate to have met Kathleen many times over the years starting from her Saint Mary’s days, and can testify that she was a force of nature. My first book was published by Community Books, and we appreciated her work to encourage beginning writers. She will be much missed in the community. My condolences to her family, on behalf of the Hurds of East Ragged Island.
Burris Devanney
I wish to extend condolences to Kathleen Tudor’s family. She was a remarkable woman with a most interesting life and strong values, including a profound dedication to teaching and to literature. . As the Coordinator of the Saint Mary’s University Extension program in The Gambia, I was pleased to see that reference was made in the obituary to her contribution to this program. She was indeed very highly regarded by her students in Gambia and, on my visit there last year, several of her former students mentioned her most favourably. I made reference to this and to her “indefatigable” personality in my recently published book, “The Gambia Saga”. I am truly sorry that she probably did not have the opportunity of reading the book and seeing how well she was remembered by these students.
With Kindest regards and great admiration for Kathleen – or, as we knew her in Gambia, Kay,
Elisabeth@Adrien
Unfortunately we never met Karl’s sister in person but heard many stories about her and listened to a CD of short stories some years ago at Christmas time. What a great creative life to read about. Well lived. We are So sorry for your loss
G. Douglas Vaisey
It was sad to see Dr. Tudor’s obituary in the Chronicle Herald and to realize that her considerable voice for good had been stilled. In her career at Saint Mary’s University, what stood out was the course in creative writing, working with students to find their literary voices. And among those voices, I recall vividly that of Isabelle Knockwood, whose book on the residential schools in Nova Scotia was a landmark. Had she not taken Dr. Tudor’s course, had she not been encourage to release her memories to the printed page, had she not received enthusiastic encouragement to get the work printed, a vital memory of the indigenous experience in Nova Scotia would never have been heard. And it was K. Tudor who nurtured and released that spirit. That was one of Dr. Tudor’s many successes, but one that many of us saw on the face of an earnest student. The world is a better place for Roseway Publishing and Community Books, and for the hours of bringing literature and writing to life in the lives of university students. Sober news on a sunny morning.
Andy Seaman
I am sure that many other members of the English Department at Saint Mary’s, and students who had the good fortune to enter her classes, remember Kay with the same respect and warmth that I do. Kay was a faculty member of great integrity and talent. Her no nonsense approach to everything, coupled with her sense of humor and keen insight, made her a valuable member of many a committee on which I sat with her over the 20 years in which we participated in the growth of the department. Its quality and success, and particularly its reputation in the sphere of Maritime publishing and reviewing during the latter part of the 20th century, were due as much to her guiding hand, and that of her friend and colleague Terry Whalen, also warmly remembered, as to anyone else. I speak for all of us who had the good fortune to call Kay a friend and colleague, in expressing appreciation of a life so richly lived.
Marjorie Speed Powell
To Kay’s Family
I met Kay in 1994 when we were both on the committee organizing the South Shore Festival of the Arts. I had written and illustrated a children’s book –“Alexander’s Sky Blue Eggs”. One evening she arrived at my house for a meeting that had been cancelled. She had somehow missed getting that information. My manuscript had recently arrived back after being rejected yet again by a mainstream publisher. I asked her if she could take a look at it for me, mainly to give me advice if I was approaching publishers in the best way. She sighed and reluctantly took it, saying it would be a long time before she’d get around to it, if at all.
I think it was the next day I had a phone call from her saying she would like to publish it herself through Roseway publishing. That whole experience of working with Kay was wonderful and I was delighted with the high quality book that was the outcome. It opened a new world to me. I had an active several years visiting Nova Scotia schools with the Writers in the Schools programme of the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia. I am grateful that she took that leap of faith that worked out so well for me and valued our continuing friendship.
She will be remembered by many for a life lived so abundantly.
Marjorie
Brian Bartlett
Kay was a force in life, determined, hard-working, talented, politically astute, ahead of her time, generous to others. I feel tremendous gratitude to her since when she retired from SMU in 1990 that opened the door for my hiring as the new Creative Writing kid on the block. Without Kay’s decision to leave Halifax, return to her beloved Shelburne County, and start up a publishing company, I never would’ve moved to Halifax or met my wife or been given the great gift of our children. Thank you, Kay, for helping open that marvellous door, and for being the special, memorable individual you were.
Arthur (Hoggie) MacLeod of Liverpool
Dear Rebecca and family.
Just noticed the passing of your mom, she was such a delightful lady and always so positive. I have known her for a few years and had total respect for her. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Harold (Hal) McGee
Kathleen (I best knew her as Kay) is one of the finest, and most phenomenally talented, people I know. She was a colleague at SMU and a very good friend of my late wife (Ronita deBlois). I thoroughly enjoyed her short stories and I appreciated the assistance she gave to Isabelle Knockwood to rework and develop a paper done for one of my courses into “Out of the Depths”. She expressed her opinions intelligently, forcefully (but without rancour), and often with humour. It has been a privilege to have shared some space and time with her. Warm condolences to her family, close friends, loved ones.
Pam Prince
To Kathleen’s family, so sorry for your loss, we met Kathleen a few times with Gordon and Nadene, know that you are in our prayers and thoughts these difficult days Pam Prince and Glenys Flower
Patsy Beaton
What an amazing woman and an amazing legacy. I only met “Aunt Kay” once with Nadene MacAulay, but heard many wonderful stories of this lady who was so intelligent and so ahead of her time. We had a lovely and interesting visit with her. Condolences to her family and friends, especially Gordon MacAulay who will miss her a great deal. Pleasant Point will never be the same!
Mike Larsen
Jean and I were very sorry to learn of Kay’s death. I was a member of the English department with her for many years and remember her as a tireless champion of innovation and excellence. She and Bruce hosted many department parties which contributed greatly to the department ‘s cohesiveness. What I remember most vividly and fondly about Kay is that she was a straight talker who would tell you the truth exactly as she saw it. She was a very smart, creative, and generous person who had a deep and lasting impact on all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Ken MacKinnon
Dear Martha, Becky, and David—
I’m very sorry for your loss. With news of your mother’s passing, those crazy happy days of the 70s and early 80s came crowding back to my memory when you and your parents lived next to Chocolate lake—and both Cyril and I lived nearby. Your mother was a great and inspiring colleague, a remarkable spirit, and a trusted friend. I am so glad I knew you all. It’s nice to see how you’ve continued her family and thus perpetuated her memory.
Kathleen left her world a far greater place than it would have been without her. I can only reiterate all the fine qualities eloquently stated by Andy, Hal, Brian, Doug, and Burris. I feel they speak with warmth and conviction for all who knew her at Saint Mary’s. Cyril Byrne and I knew Kay from when we were all grad students in Toronto. Her sense of community led her to return to her home province. The result was wonderful contributions to Saint Mary’s, to social and gender equality, to Nova Scotia literature and publishing, and to the immediate world around her.
Janet Baker
Dear Martha, Rebecca, and David:
Please accept my deepest condolemces on the passing of your remarkable mother.
Having taught in the English Department at St. Mary’s before your mother arrived and after.she retired I recall with gratitude and admiration what she contributed during her time there: her probing intellect, her prodigous energy, her deep sense of justice, her outspoken integrity were rare and precious qualities. She could always be counted on to champion issues in which she believed, with vigor and tenacity.
She was my idea of a visionary in both her teaching years.and later as a publisher. Her love of her beleagured little province informed so much of what she achieved in fostering various voices and causes that without her would not have been heard.
She left the world a better place for her many well-spent years among us and I, for one, am grateful for having known her.
Harry Thurston
Kay was a friend to writers in her beloved Nova Scotia and far beyond. Like others who knew and admired her I will miss her generous spirit.
Sylvia Gunnery
Kay was, and will continue to be, an inspiration to many of us for many reasons. My wonderful good luck was to stay with Kay over a three-day literary event where, among other contributions, she hosted a potluck dinner filled with howls of laughter and thoughtful conversation. So much generous listening and good story telling when we had some time alone.
She is deeply missed.
Momodou Sabally
I was fortunate to have been taught by Professor Tudor as a student of the St. Mary’s University Extension Programme run in The Gambia in the mid 90s.
I never had plans, or thoughts, of becoming an author when I studied under Prof Tudor, but when I decided to take writing as a passion and trade, the knowledge attained became a golden treasure. In fact just one week ago when I wrote one of the many op-eds I regularly write for local and international publications, I had to edit one of the statements when I remembered Prof Tudor’s lesson on avoiding wordiness. That particular statement was cut by about half and still retained the intended message, thanks to a lesson learned two decades ago.
Adieu Prof Tudor. I am a witness to your distinguished service to humanity. I am not sure if this tribute itself would meet your exacting standards, but I am confident you would be pleased that the seeds you sowed many decades ago, were not planted into barren soil. The lessons endure and fruits will surely mature in time. Rest in Peace our dear old Professor.
Momodou Sabally
Former Secretary General and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Economist, Author, and International Speaker.
Frances Trotta
I was not in Lockeport this summer, and to keep the flavor of Nova Scotia in my heart I was listening to Kathleen’s recording of Jane Plus Plus..just began to do so last week. This recording smoothed my commute to and from Nova Scotia and I had not listened to it since last June (2018). When I learned about Kathleen’s passing I could not help but think her gift for communicating reached further than many. I LOVE that double disc and her musings, absurdities exposed and the facility of her own reading..so so enjoyable and each time heard, a new “note” reveals itself. The stories had soul and humor; only 3 days ago I planned to Google a recipe for East Indian cornbread. True. To see her striding thru the waves on Lockeport beach last year was a gift to all of use who will follow her. Sending my love and condolences to her children and their children and in-laws..a beautiful clan she helped create.
Cliff & Suzanne McKay
“She was a force of nature and will be widely missed.” These words are so very true. Kathleen was on the right side of issues beyond counting, and she will be remembered by the enormous number of people she influenced, across the region, the country, and beyond. Decades ago, as a new teacher at Lockeport High School, I was so privileged as to be caretaker, for two winters, of that splendid house at the end of Pleasant Point, and to become acquainted with her vibrant intelligence, a mind that was always seeking out ways to make the familiar world new, and new worlds familiar. What a great life and career– just the other day, I came across a book review she wrote a half century ago. Her contribution to both the local and wider arts community is substantial, and her late career writing impressive– she was writing stream-of-consciousness fiction into her 90s! Most sincere condolences to her family from both of us.
Suellen & Michael Bradfield
Our condolences to Kathleen’s family.
Kathleen was a force for justice and fun. I got to know her when we co-ordinated the Peace Petition Caravan for the Voice of Women in Nova Scotia. Later Michael and I were fortunate to visit her at her home in Pleasant Point and learned of the people, places, and events that shaped her.
She made a difference to her friends and to her communities.
Leslie Cohee
Dear Martha, David, Rebecca and families:
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother was an amazing women. I remember so many good visits in our younger years. Summers at the cottage, and weekend visits in Toronto. It was fun when the families got together.
Your mom really lived life. When I read all she had accomplished, I was astonished. She had an impact on so many, I’m sure you are proud of the positive effect she had on those she taught, and helped.
I’m so sorry for your loss and will pray for you and your families during this difficult time. All my love, Leslie Cohee (Tudor).
Loretta & Jim Dedrick
Rebecca,Lester & Family So sorry for your loss. I loved talking with Kathleen.Such a wonderfully interesting and accomplished lady. I have some of her books and poems.I love them all.She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.
Loretta & Jim
Cheryl Halsted (Gascoigne
To me, she was Mrs. Tudor – my Grade 10 English and Home-room teacher at Lemoyne d’Iberville High School in Longueuil, Quebec. She was a great teacher who got a rambunctious class really interested in English Literature. She hated the abridged versions of the books we were assigned to read and encouraged us to read the unabridged when we could find them. And I did!
Because she lived in Greenfield Park, and had to drive through Longueuil on her way to school, she would drive down my street and pick me and a few of my friends up in her old Ford station wagon in the winter months when it was too cold to ride our bikes. We laughed and chatted gaily for the three mile ride.
I will always remember “Henry” Tudor, as we called her “in secret” as one of the best and most inspirational teacher that I had.
Robert Tudor
Dear Rebecca, Martha and David
Please accept our thoughts and prayers for dear Aunt Kathleen and her beautiful family. The sad news of your mother’s passing brings a flood of memories. In the years we shared in Quebec and Ontario we were so very close. It’s hard to believe that it was about 50 years ago. I can remember running around the small rural farmhouse by the Rouge River. Not only was Aunt Kathleen so very tolerant, she was most of all a wonderful hostess while endlessly working at her typewriter at any possible opportunity. Even those years are decades past, I remember them very fondly.
Cheers and Love
Cousin Bob, on behalf of Katie, Jeff, Andrew and Anne
Judy Haiven
I would have loved to have met Kay. She sounds wonderful.
I’m indebted to her for publishing Out of the Depths, the first book about the NS residential school experience I read when I came here from Saskatoon.
Sandy Greenberg
On behalf of Voice of Women for Peace, both the Nova Scotia group and the National organization, please accept our deep condolences. Kathleen was a valuable member and we recognize and truly appreciate her steadfast commitment to peace.