Procter honoured by community centre board's memorial ceremony

BY DENNY SCOTT

The Belgrave Community Centre Board honoured the late Kathy Procter for her contributions to the village of Belgrave last week with a memorial plaque at the centre.

Jonathan Van Camp, chair of the centre board, said that Procter was very active in the community, highlighting her creation of the monthly hot luncheon at the centre. 

“Kathy had approached the board about having a monthly hot luncheon here at the centre,” he said, adding it was for everyone to come and sit and enjoy a meal with neighbours. “The first luncheon started in March of 2019 with a dozen people and over time it grew to around 60 members… attending regularly and looking forward to the next one.”
The meal, Van Camp said, had no set charge and was by donation only. 

He added that Procter was also active in other community initiatives, including Dining for Seniors and Soup’s On in Wingham, the latter hosted at the Maitland River Community Church.

“Kathy will be remembered as a remarkable woman who cared and loved giving back to the community and its people,” he said. “The community was saddened to hear of her illness and sudden passing and she has been truly missed. Her generosity and volunteerism for the community is why we are here tonight to honour her memory and recognize and remember her.”

Van Camp, alongside Procter’s widower Don, then unveiled the plaque, which is in the main hall of the community centre. It includes a photo of Procter and the following excerpt: “As in her home and business life Kathy also shared her generous selfless ways with her community. She organized and spearheaded amazing hot luncheons served once a month with payment by donation only. This was to make sure it was available to all and all would feel welcome. She was a very dedicated and caring woman and is truly missed.”

Procter passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer. Her obituary, as it appeared in the Dec. 10, 2020 issue of The Citizen, is below:

KATHY PROCTER
It is with great sadness that the family of Kathy Procter announces her passing after a very short battle with cancer. She died peacefully at her home on Dec. 2, 2020 with her family by her side. She was 64.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 43 years, Don Procter. She also leaves behind her children Kristi (Brandon) Anger, Tim (Parveen) Procter and Mike (April) Procter. Kathy cherished her six beautiful grandchildren, Brielle, Kolton and Lukas Anger, Isaac Procter and Trinity and Lily Procter. Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her mother Joanna (Sauder Holst) Ropp, her two sisters, Ann (Lloyd) Fretz and Marlene (Don) Letkeman-Holst, sisters and brothers-in-law, Faye Procter, Doug and Deb Procter and Ken and Lila Procter, 10 nieces and nephews and their families, as well as numerous cousins. Kathy was predeceased by her father Delton Holst, her parents-in-law Alvin and Ida Procter and brother-in-law Wayne Procter.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of Kathy’s life will be held when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the North Huron Food Share or the Goderich-to-Guelph Rail Trail would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. 
Online condolences may be left at the funeral home’s website at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com