BULGER – Kathleen Bulger (nee Craig) passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on January 15, 2023, at the age of 86 years. Kathy was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, on July 20, 1936. She was raised on the family farm near Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan. After completing high school, Kathy took her first year of teacher training at the Teachers College in Saskatoon. The following year she began her teaching career in Alberta at a one room school near Prince, then moved to Bassano to teach the grade four/five class at Bassano School in the fall of 1956. While living in Bassano, she met the love of her life, Joel Bulger, and they were married on the Bulger family farm in July, 1957. 1957 to 1965 was a busy time as Kathy and Joel welcomed the birth of three children, moved several times between Calgary and Edmonton, as well as spending summers on the farm in Bassano. In the fall of 1966, the family settled in Calgary, where Kathy returned to the teaching profession. During her first few years with the Calgary School Board, she also took evening and summer courses and proudly graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in the spring of 1973.
In 1975, Kathy and Joel made the decision to move their family back to the farm in Bassano. Joel took over the farming operation. Kathy did not return to the classroom as a teacher, but did remain active as an educator through her work with the Newell Further Education Council, as a coordinator for the Newell Adult Literacy Program, and as a teacher for English for New Canadians. Kathy was passionate about literacy and helped so many people improve their English literacy skills with her caring and dedication. In 2017 Kathy was presented with the Council of the Federation Award for outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy. She also found time to volunteer in her community and the County of Newell, including participation in the Kinettes, serving as a county councillor, being a member of the County Library Board and Bassano Memorial Library, and directing dinner theatre plays for the Bassano Arts Council.
Later she especially treasured time with her granddaughters and was an enthusiastic spectator and audience member at all of their extra-curricular activities. Kathy treasured all the friendships she made while participating in the many varied activities of her life. She will be remembered as a positive, generous, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who truly found the joy in life and the people she was with.
Kathy is predeceased by her brother Clifford Craig, and her granddaughter Megan Bulger. She is survived by her sister Marjorie McLean, her beloved husband of 66 years Joel, her children Michael (Betty McDonald), Michele (Brian Slenders) and Mark (Christina), and granddaughters Alyssa Clayton, Kerrin Slenders and Cianna Slenders. A memorial service of her life will take place on April 28 at 2 PM at the Bassano Presbyterian Church. If people wish, memorial contributions can be made to Canadian Cancer Society in Kathy’s memory.
For further information, to light a memorial candle or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.
