Lane (nee Morgan), Catherine
1910 ~ 2008
Catherine (Kitty) Lane, long time Qualicum Beach resident, passed away May 4, 2008 at Trillium Lodge at the age of 98.
She was born in Pentre, Wales but came to Canada as a baby. After living on Sea Island, her family moved to Victoria where her father, Garfield Morgan, had been posted on his return from overseas in the First World War. Kitty entered Lampson Street School, now a city landmark.
Kitty arrived in Qualicum Beach with her family in 1919. She was by then 9 years old. Her father, Garfield, had been appointed quartermaster at the new Veterans Hospital. He met his wife, Annie, and the children Molly, Kitty and Peter at the railway station with a brown army ambulance. They rode in it to their new home which consisted of rooms at the back of a boat house containing boats for the use of the convalescing soldiers. The well for water was on the other side of the Island highway. It must have been inconvenient for Annie but the children loved living by the sea. Her brother Peter took to fishing but Kitty was the swimmer. After a few months the family moved to the "White House" which is now the Qualicum Beach Hospice. Kitty attended the local two room school and made several life long friends. She enjoyed Girl Guides.
When the hospital closed, the family moved back to a somewhat improved boat house and her mother, Annie, opened a tea room. In 1924, the family opened the Morgan Hotel which they operated for many years. Both places were "by the beach" and Kitty continued her enjoyment of the sea. In fact, she continued to swim on most days of summer until she was well into her eighties.
Kitty married George Lane in 1931. Together they built and ran Bayview Park Camp, a popular resort in Qualicum. George was a carpenter who also founded a local construction company. He took particular pride in having overseen the building of the original log home at Eagle Crest. Active in the life of the village, he was a charter member of the Canadian Legion and one of the original commissioners when Qualicum Beach was incorporated as a municipality in 1942. Sadly, he passed away in 1949 and Kitty was left a widow for nearly 60 years.
A great reader, Kitty kept in touch with world affairs throughout her life. She was always grateful to the ladies at the local library who gave her advice on books she might like. She enjoyed gardening and as the years passed her life seemed more and more in harmony with the seasons of her garden. Kitty remained in the home she had entered as a bride until an accident forced a move to a nursing home at the age of 95. Although determinedly independent, Kitty always appreciated the kindness and friendship of her neighbours. She was much loved by her nieces and nephews who could always visit "Auntie Kitty" and be assured that all would be unchanged: the home, the garden and Auntie Kitty's welcome.
Kitty is survived by her nieces and nephews June Harder, Jill Fuller, Betty Strome (Al), John Morgan (Joan), David Morgan (Rhonda), great nieces and great nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents Garfield and Annie Morgan, husband George Lane, brother Peter Morgan and sister-in-law Grace Morgan, her sister Molly and brothers-in-law Arthur Bryan and Roger Whitmee.
The family is grateful for the loving care given to Kitty by the staff of Trillium Lodge. A private gathering of Aunt Kitty's was held on Saturday, May 10, 2008.