Kathleen Gleeson

Kathleen had an unquenchable zest for life and love of people. She was born in Daysland, Alberta, to Margaret and Jack Gleeson and grew up in Viking, Alberta, along with siblings Aileen, twin Dick, and Kevin. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Kathleen began teaching in Grand Prairie and Peace River, where she met her husband John Schleinich. They raised three children, each born on a different continent. Kathleen’s adventurous spirit loved living among and meeting people of many cultures and making lifelong friends. The family lived in Paris, France, Tunis, and Tripoli, Libya, before settling in Calgary, where she returned to teaching. Kathleen was dedicated to her students, going the extra mile to accept and love each and every one of them. 

After retirement, Kathleen found compelling work supporting and advocating for Bolivian causes, particularly Minkha, a women's knitting cooperative, and orphanages, which she later entrusted to Chalice. She led nine tours to Bolivia, inspiring many. She received the highest Rotarian award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, for outstanding contribution to the community. 

Kathleen’s enthusiastic love of people and life was felt by all who knew her. She was known for her hospitality. Both planned and spontaneous dinner parties grew large, as she invited and welcomed everyone, always. Like her father, Kathleen was a great storyteller and salesperson, and many bought a Minkha sweater too! She also dearly loved hosting visiting scholars, new immigrants and refugees in her suite. All became dear friends. She also loved having her five grandchildren sleepover, and morning breakfasts with Nana are some of their fondest memories. At 83, Kathleen fulfilled her wish to join the Irish Choir! She lives on in her children, Mary Anne Scheinich, John M. Schleinich and Christina (Gerard) Thompson, five grandchildren, Samantha, Conor, Francis, Nathan and Liam Thompson, and 9 nieces and nephews!  

We wish to thank Cora and Ana for their care and love, as well as the LTC and Scenic Acres staff who caringly attended Kathleen in her last years. We could not have been as present to our mother without them, and they helped us ensure that Kathleen felt safe and loved every day.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Save the Children Canada. 

A Prayer Service will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church (2424 24 Ave NW) on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7:00pm.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 11:00am.

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