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| Kay Bartholomew, 1922-2014 |
Margaret Kathleen (Kay) MacDermid Bartholomew was born May 8, 1922, in Spokane, WA, to Charles Nelson MacDermid and Margaret Ellen Willey MacDermid. She died March 30, 2014, in Shoreline, WA.
At age eight, Kay, her parents, and sister Maxine moved to Glengarry County, Ontario, Canada, and lived on a farm that had been in the family for several generations.
Kay graduated from Williamstown High School in Ontario, Canada; Ottawa Normal School, Ontario, Canada; and Seattle Pacific University.
She married Gerald W. Bartholomew in Niagara Falls, Ontario, on July 18, 1945. They and their children moved to the Richmond Highlands neighborhood of Shoreline in 1955.
Kay was a charter member of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline. For many years she taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent, a Deacon, and an Elder. She was a Commissioner to North Puget Sound Presbytery for many years, served on various Presbytery committees, and was a Commissioner to General Assembly in 1994.
She taught at Sunset, Meridian and Hillwood Elementary Schools in the Shoreline School District from 1960 until her retirement in 1982 and took great joy in keeping in touch with former students.
In 1971, Kay was named Shoreline School District Teacher of the Year. In 1972, she was named Washington State Teacher of the Year. She went on to become a finalist for National Teacher of the Year and enjoyed a reception on the White House lawn with First Lady Pat Nixon.
She was an elected delegate to the Association of Classroom Teachers of Washington State and to Washington Education Association; was a member of the Board of Directors of Washington Education Association; a delegate to National Education Association in Philadelphia and San Francisco; and a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators.
Kay’s distinguished teaching career started at age 20. After graduating from Ottawa Normal School, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. Eighteen students were enrolled in Glen Falloch School, at least one in every grade. In addition to preparing multiple lesson plans and grading papers, Kay cleaned the school, kept the wood stove burning, and shoveled snow in winter—and all that for an annual income of $700.
In the mid-1970s Kay co-founded the Shoreline Historical Museum which, as a Bicentennial Project, was officially opened and dedicated on the 4th of July, 1976. For several years she served as the museum’s Chairman of the Board.
Kay served as a Precinct Chairman and worked on numerous political campaigns including those of Dan Evans, Governor, and Alan Bluechel, state Representative and state Senator.
After retiring, Kay led several tour groups to the British Isles and Europe, and she also traveled—all alone!—to both South America and Africa to visit her daughter’s family.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald W. Bartholomew. She is survived by sisters: Maxine Wood, Gwelda (Gene) Henning, and Winnie Murphy; her children: Linda (David) Thomas, Douglas (Kathy) Bartholomew, and David (Nancy) Bartholomew; eight grandchildren: Matthew (Jill) Thomas, Karen (Brian) Kelly, Ian Bartholomew, Nathan Bartholomew, Lily Benardout, Garth Benardout, Murray (Michelle) Bartholomew, and Colin Bartholomew; six great-grandchildren: Margaret, Emma, Claire, Chase, Finn, and Kade; and 11 nieces and nephews and their families. She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Jack Wood and Vaughn Murphy.
The family thanks Cristwood Retirement Community, Crista Nursing and Rehab, and several devoted friends from Calvin Church for their loving care of Kay over the years.
A celebration of Kay’s life will take place at 4pm May 10 at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 Third Avenue NW, Shoreline 98177.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kay may be made to Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 Third Avenue NW, Shoreline, WA 98177; or contributions for school supplies for needy children may be made to Back to School Consortium, c/o Center for Human Services, 17018 15th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.
What a surprise to see my kindergarden and first grade teacher Mrs. Bartholomew in the paper this morning. I was 5 in 1964 and she was my first teacher. She was so special to me. She had a salamander in our room and named it Sally! She always made me feel like I was her favorite. She had us put our heads down on our desks after lunch and who ever was quietest would get the Star Fairy, a little stuffed fairy sitting on a star. She gave that Star fairy to me at the end of my first grade year on the last day of school. She will always be my favorite teacher, I fell blessed to have had her as my teacher. My only regret is that I too live in Richmond beach and never got a chance to thank her!
ReplyDeleteSally Knightly, thank you so much for your story! She would be so pleased to know your special memories, and we, her family, are delighted to hear it! We'll share it with others.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Linda (Bartholomew) Thomas
We were so sorry to hear of Kay's passing. She was so dear to us here at the Shoreline Historical Museum, where she was most instrumental in beginning the organization. She worked tirelessly to make sure it could take on a life of its own, and remained a member and friend all of her days. She will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteVicki Stiles, thank you for your kind words. I know the museum was very special to Mom, and I still remember the day it was dedicated. What a fun day. I donated an old wooden desk from the original Ronald School building. I'd like to stop by next time I'm in Shoreline. Thank you for all you have done to make the museum such a rich part of the community. Linda (Bartholomew) Thomas
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