Health Care Staff Honour Kathy Kuhn With Beautiful Blooms

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, this community knows how to show up for one another. From celebrating together in times of triumph to supporting each other in times of hardship, the heart of this community knows no limits. In January, Canmore Home Care Nurse, Kathy Kuhn, passed away. Throughout her battle with cancer, her colleagues banded together to send uplifting notes of love and support and even sing Christmas carols outside her home on an especially chilly December day. 

Kathy was known for her infectious giggle, unwavering kindness, and inspiring ability to make meaningful connections, turning strangers into friends instantly. Kathy was passionately dedicated to her work in Home Care. Her heart-forward nature touched the lives of countless patients in the Bow Valley as well as those of her beloved colleagues. 

Several months after Kathy’s passing, a team of health care workers and volunteers came together to celebrate and commemorate their friend. Homecare teams and volunteers from Canmore and Banff decided to build a garden right where Kathy entered the Canmore Hospital each day. This garden is intended to support those grieving Kathy with a beautiful reminder of the bright person she was. 

“All staff was very happy to participate. We felt that Kathy was with us while we were working,” said Carolyn Henry, Homecare Manager. She told us that even retired coworkers came to help. 

Kathy’s favourite colour was pink, so pink flowers were planted by a group of folks, many of whom wore pink themselves. “Kathy’s Garden” is a lovely reminder of an endlessly special person, a place that will build and support community, just like she so effortlessly did. A sign has been made to mark Kathy’s Garden. It was made by our incredible volunteer, Michiko, who hand-painted it, especially for Kathy’s Garden. 

“Kathy was very dedicated to her work and was always available to support the team,” said Carolyn, “she would have loved the garden, and we know she would be so touched by this.”

This project was made possible with the help of generous donors of the Canmore & Area Health Care Foundation, support from local businesses, and our wonderful staff and volunteers. 

The team hopes that Kathy loves the garden and maybe even had a little giggle at the sight of her friends sweating it out in the heat as they planted the garden at the end of their work day.