Eleanor "May" Kirkham passed away peacefully at the Invermay Health Centre on Friday, February 27, 2015. She was 96 years of age. May, daughter of Denis and Edith (nee Kennedy) Kirkham, was born at Woodlands Farm north of Saltcoats on May 8, 1918. She began her education at Graham School and attended high school in Saltcoats. May undertook business training in Saskatoon and returned to Saltcoats where she worked for T.R. MacNutt who was Town Clerk and Secretary of the R.M. of Saltcoats. When T.R. was away during World War II, May was appointed to act as Secretary of the R.M. in his absence. At the age of twenty-six May moved to BC where she attended the University of British Columbia, graduating with a B.A. and Masters in Social Work. May retired from her career at Woodlands Institute in New Westminster, BC in the early 1970s. At the request of the Canadian Government she spent several months on Grand Cayman Island establishing a preschool/kindergarten classroom in the community of East End. On her return, while living in North Vancouver, she purchased property on her cherished Savary Island and built a home there. She spent many happy years on Savary and eventually moved to Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. In January 2008, May returned near to her Saltcoats roots and moved to the Bentley Retirement Community in Yorkton. She made new friends and was comfortable there until she became ill in the fall of 2014 and it became necessary for her to receive care at the Invermay Health Centre. May was predeceased by her parents, Denis and Edith Kirkham; her brothers, Rupert, Sam and Bert Kirkham; her sisters, Olive Kirkham, Muriel McDougall, Helen Erratt, Joyce Dunwell and Norah Jarbeau; her sisters-in-law, Edith Lobb (Kirkham) and Helen Kirkham; her brothers-in-law, Bob McDougall, Clif Erratt, Ray Dunwell, Doug Copeland and Francis Jarbeau; her nephew, John Jarbeau and her great-niece, Chantelle Kirkham. May is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Dan Thompson of Las Vegas, NV and her sister-in-law, Adeline Kirkham of Yorkton, SK. May will be missed and lovingly remembered by Bob and Elinor Morris. She will also be fondly remembered by a special friend, Patricia Kennedy and her son, Christopher Kennedy as well as many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, April 4, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home, Yorkton, SK with the Reverend Luanne Hrywkiw officiating. Words of remembrance were shared by Denis Hamel. The organist, Lorne Neal, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "Lord of the Dance" and "The Lord is my Shepherd". Following a reception in the Gunn Reception Room, the Cremation Committal followed in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery, Saltcoats, SK with Robert Morris serving as the casket bearer. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
