Long, Kathryn May (née Ironside)
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on Thursday January 10, 2008, at Centenary Health Centre. Devoted wife of Alan, loving mother of Beatrice (Long), Victoria (Schei), and Mary (Cobham) and James (predeceased), and proud grandmother of 12 grand children. As well as being a tireless volunteer for the arts in the City of Scarborough, Kay was an inspirational teacher and will be missed by many of her friends and former students at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre and of Riverdale Collegiate Institute. A memorial will be held at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre at a later date.
Please feel free to email your message for inclusion on the site.
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You are requested to contribute to the Kay Long Trust Fund For Excellence In The Arts for students of Cedar Ridge. For a description of the gallery and map go to http://www.toronto.ca/culture/cedar_ridge.htm Or, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson Society
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Kay Long has rendered her impressions of places she has been and people she has met in a very traditional way. The “caring” found in descriptions of Kay ’s nature becomes evident to you while viewing her creations. She has painted in a variety of locations from Toronto to the warm beauty of Louisiana, the cold but unique hues of the Northwest Territories, and the national characters of the Pacific coast from Vancouver to San Diego, and the peaceful surroundings of her cottage at Jack Lake in the Kawarthas. Exploring oil, acrylic and other media she has more recently turned to watercolour.
A qualified teacher of art in Ontario, Kay Long first taught at Oshawa Collegiate Institute in 1945, relocating to become Head of the Art Department of Riverdale Collegiate in Toronto in 1948. From the beginning she shared her love of painting with countless students. Leaving with her husband who was furthering his career as a Clinical Psychologist, she adapted her talents to become head of Occupational Therapy at Southeast Lousiana Hospital in Mandeville, Louisiana in 1954. There she learned new techniques from artists in New Orleans and at the local St. Tammany Art Association where she contributed as a Director and instructor. She returned to participate in 1968 in the formation of the Guildwood School of All Arts and Crafts in Cory House at the Guild Inn that in 1963 became Guildcrest Studios acting as an instructor and serving as a Board Member in various administrative capacities including President. The group moved into the present Cedar Ridge property at the invitation of the City of Scarborough and was involved in moving and developing the center in 1978. After 34 years, she retired in 2002 but remains active with a group of senior painters that meet there weekly. Along with recognition awards from her home group, Kay has received the special Volunteer Award from the Scarborough Community Council in the year 2000 with the citation:
"The fact that you have given of yourself in the most selfless manner possible, is indicative of your character and contribution that has served Scarborough for many years."
Signed Sherene Shaw, City Councillor, Ward 17, Scarborough, Agincourt . September 27, 2000.