KCI's Dearly Departed

Rory MacDonald, born 1994, has a memorial on the plaque in the main foyer of the school. Before KCI, Rory attended Elizabeth Ziegler and Margaret Ave, and when he finally got to KCI he became very involved in school activities. Rory had a passion for soccer and music, participating in Jazz band, Concert band and the Male Chorus, as well as playing guitar in his free time. Rory's father, Robert MacDonald, sadly passed away in 2004, and Rory spent a lot of time helping his mother care for his siblings due to this. When asked about Rory, Mr.Horn remarked that he was a “[K]ind young man, who spent a lot of time caring for his siblings'', and that “Rory was active in music both in and outside of school and was a positive member of our school community”. Rory passed away on August 28th, 2009, at the age of 15, for undisclosed reasons. His memory is carried on by his mother, Kate Kennedy, his stepfather, Harold Arnett, his two sisters, Lisa and Ruth, his 2 grandparents and his 5 aunts and uncles. Upon his death, Rory's family requested that, instead of flowers or gifts, people who wanted to pay tribute to Rory’s memory should instead donate to KCI’s music department, which brought Rory such happiness. (All un-cited information retrieved from the obituary on the Erb and Good Funeral Home website)

Carly Hamilton was born April 10th of 1994, and unfortunately passed away on September 10th of 2010 in her 16th year, after suffering from a short illness. Her memorial can be located on the plaque between the 2nd and 3rd floor main stairwell. Carly's memory still carries throughout this school. When asked about Carly, and some of the other departed memories of our community, Ms. Gauthier said: “They were quiet leaders who simply gave their all”. When speaking with staff about these students, some interesting information was produced. Shortly after Carly had passed away, her family “sponsored two scholarships each year, in the amount of $1000 each. These ran from 2011 and 2018. By then the family felt that anyone who knew Carly would have graduated from the school” states Ms. Gauthier. According to an obituary for Carly Hamilton, published on Erb & Good Funeral Home, she was a “vivacious young woman in love with life and all of those who lived it with her.” She will be remembered by her parents, Jane and Derek Hamilton, as well as her grandparents, Don and Lenore Hamilton and Jim and Diane Ernaux, and her favorite quote, “It’s not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts”. 

Margaret Klosch, born December 26th, 1924, is the only teacher who has a memorial around KCI, served for an impressive tenure, beginning her teaching career in 1966 in the English Department at this very school, joining her husband Mark Klosch (a history teacher). Margaret taught until 1971, when she took a nine year break to raise her kids, but she returned in 1980 and worked until her death, teaching for an impressive 23 years. Klosch is warmly remembered for her love of teaching, rarely having a negative thing to say about a student, and her championing of teachers rights. Margaret’s sign is located in KCI’s front lawn, slightly covered by a tree on the far left of the yard, and her presence is still remembered today, when asked if he had any memories of her, Mr. Appel remarked that she was “lots of fun” and had a “great sense of humor”. According to CanadianObits.com Margaret fought an 18 year battle with cancer, with her treatment allowing her to see the birth of her grandchild, travel to Cuba and Europe, dance at her son’s wedding and continue teaching. Margaret Klosch, a Mennonite, sadly passed away on November 25th, 1999, at the age of 75, leaving her four siblings, her father, Jacob Dick, her husband, Mark, her two kids, Michelle (who now works for the WRDSB) and George, and her grandchild, Michael Heckman. (All information not cited, was retrieved from the 1999-2000 edition of the KCI Grumbler)

Dustin Schell, born 1990, was a student who sadly passed away on September 28th, 2007 in his graduating year at the age of 17. Dustin’s father, Kevin Schell, died a year after he was born, and his mom married Darrin Seip, who became Dustin’s stepfather, and his grandmother Nancy Nodwell passed away in 2005. Dustin died suddenly in an accident near Port Elgin, Ontario, his memory is carried on by his mother Margaret Nodwell, his step-father Darren Seip, his three siblings, Amber, Kevin and Blake, his step-sister, Crystal, his nephew Leiland, his grandparent William Nodwell and his many, uncles, aunts and cousins. (All information retrieved from the obituary on the Erb and Good Funeral Home website).