08/01/2026
The congregation of Asbury and West United Church mourns the loss of our dear friend "Kay". She was an active member of our church for well over 50 years and an inspiration to us all. Our sympathy and prayers go out to her family.
Katherine “Kay” Roffey-Dampier
July 3, 1924 – July 13, 2026
Katherine “Kay” Roffey-Dampier (née Meade) passed away peacefully at Sherwood Court LTC in Maple on July 13, 2026, just 10 days after the joyous celebration of her 102nd birthday. Kay was a woman of energy and endurance, faith, compassion and love.
Kay was born July 3, 1924, to Irene Beatrice (née Manuel) and Simon Meade in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the fourth of eleven children. The Meade family, like many in that area, were not economically prosperous. So, Kay’s early days were not easy, but the whole family worked together on their chores helping each other and supporting their parents. Despite hardships Kay remembered those days as happy ones, and it was certainly in those early years that she developed her strong work ethic.
At about the age of 17, Kay moved to Toronto and lived there ever since. While working at York Arsenal during the war she wrote to servicemen serving overseas. One of her pen pals was Alfred James Roffey, a native of Toronto. Upon his return on furlough, they met in person and soon they were engaged and married in May 1944. Subsequently, they had four children, Bruce, Paul, Brian and Donna.
In May of 1970 her beloved husband Al died suddenly of a stroke at the age of 51 leaving Kay not just grieving but challenged with raising four children on her own with limited resources. Kay, however, had always been a hard worker and she was determined to support her children as best she could. After a few positions in childcare and as a visiting homemaker, a friend of the family from her church found her a position at the Ontario Land Titles Office in Toronto, where she worked until she retired.
Kay had always been a person of faith. She and her husband Al began to attend Asbury & West United Church in 1950 where they were both leaders. After Al died, Kay was fortunate to be able to enjoy a new friendship with church member Tom Dampier, whose wife Vivian had also died. For a decade they were constant companions and gradually their friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in August of 1991.
Unfortunately, Tom was soon diagnosed with cancer, and he died in February of 1992. Kay was very fortunate to have a new family of Tom’s children, Bill, Dave and Jan, and their families. She has remained close to many of them over the years.
Two words that typify Kay’s life are love and family. Beginning when she was very young up to the day she died, she loved her family deeply. She wanted to know about them and their lives. When she was still active and living in her own home, hospitality was its hallmark. Many family celebrations including weddings and receptions were held there, and Kay was always there as a welcoming and generous host.
Later in life, Kay remained a strong and independent woman. She lived in her own apartment until she was 99 years old. She retained long-term friendships, especially with members of her church. She was an elder for a long time and was always active in the United Church Women cooking and baking for special events, and even occasionally leading the program for the meetings. Her spiritual life that began in Epworth United Church when she was young nurtured her in later life and gave her courage to endure and conquer the challenges that confronted her.
Kay is survived by her children Bruce (Gaylia) and their daughter Deanna; Brian (Sylvia) and their children Spencer (Alise), Serena (RJ), Brice; Donna and her children Alex (Sara), Kevin (Natalie), Megan (Michael); and her daughter-in-law Libertad, as well as great-grandchildren Arthur, Ruby, Desmond, Sammy, Logan and Kieran.
Kay is also survived by stepdaughter-in-law Leslie, stepdaughter Jan (Tom), step grandchildren Diana (Tom), Dylan, Kim (Aron), Megan (Chilu) and Evan, step great-grandchildren Kya (Rick), Bailey (Ayden), James, Avalon (Gabe), Ryan and Eric and step great-great-grandchildren Zara and Merrek.
She will also be deeply missed by her sisters Ronlana, Ina (Tom) and Sonja, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Kay was preceded in death by her beloved husbands Al and Tom, son Paul and stepsons Bill and Dave, as well as her three older sisters and four younger brothers.
Visitation will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 8 followed by her funeral at noon and a reception at 1 pm, all at Marshall Funeral Home, Richmond Hill. Interment will be at a later date at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, donations to honour Kay’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice.
