November 12, 1913 - January 7, 2019
Katherine 'Kath' Yorston (Macalister) passed away peacefully at Quesnel's Dunrovin Lodge on January 7, 2019.
Kath was born on a farm in Macalister, BC on November 12, 1913. Kath attended Macalister school before heading to Kamloops for high school and then Victoria for teacher training. She returned to the Cariboo to teach at 10 Mile Lake, Menzinger Creek and Macalister. Kath married Jack Yorston in 1939 and moved to the Australian Ranch where she tended a large garden and prepared lots of meals for her family, Herman (life-long hired hand), seasonal farm workers, nieces, nephews and guests.
Kath was an active community member, she was a Kersley Cub Leader, a founding member of the Kersley Women's Institute, and a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. She co-hosted the Australian May picnics, she was an avid square dancer with Jack, she loved to walk and swim, she was a prolific knitter, and she was an accomplished cribbage player and champion even at the age of 101 (often teamed with Fred Magnuson). She travelled internationally which made her believe there is no place like home. Kath was often seen hunting noxious weeds (knapweed) and burning piles with her co-pyro, Binkie.
After Jack passed away, Kath's sister, June, joined her at the farm. Remaining on the farm until 2007, she then left to fully embrace a new chapter in life at Maeford Place in Quesnel. Age and health concerns expedited a move to Dunrovin Lodge in 2015.
Kath was predeceased by her parents, James & Charlotte (Sibbald) Macalister, husband Jack and son John Yorston, brothers Jim, Donald, Sandy, Jack, Joe, Bob, France Macalister, sisters June Sinclair, and Rene Horner. KathissurvivedbyhersonsKen(Debra)andBob(Lenore)Yorston, grandchildren Jodie Hinks(Scott), Ken Yorston Jr (Britt), Holley Yorston, Kelly Yorston (Kimball) and Kerri Yorston (Rock), great grandchildren Jaymie, Jessie, Sammy, Jack, Charlie, Cale, Lenz and Liliane, niece Linda Macham often referred to as daughter she never had and many deeply loved nieces and nephews.
Our deepest gratitude to the medical staff, administration and wonderful caregivers at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital, Maeford Place, and Dunrovin Lodge.
A celebration of life to be held at a later date.