Kathleen (Kathy) Marion McDowell – Baccichet of Mississauga, Ontario passed away suddenly on Wednesday June 29th, 2022 at age 51.

Kathy was welcomed into the world Sept. 28th, 1970 at Toronto East General Hospital, surrounded by the love of her parents Thomas Alexander McDowell and Beverly Patricia McDowell (nee Burke), and her big brother Gregory. Baptised and christened at St Ann’s Church (Toronto), her names Kathleen Marion were chosen to honour her proud maternal and paternal grandmothers, the late Kathleen Burke and the late Marion McDowell. Kathy would later celebrate her First Communion at St. Maria & Goretti Church.

Kathy had a yearning for knowledge. She attended St Alberts Elementary School, St Leonard’s Elementary School, and graduated from Dennis O’Connor Secondary School. Kathy completed Post Graduate Diplomas from Centennial College and Humber College in Social Services, Developmental Services, and Advocacy, with a focus on working with children.

In 1990 Kathy joined Community Living Toronto; recently celebrating her thirty second anniversary. Throughout Kathy’s career with Community Living Toronto, she worked at several locations: Adult Development Program, ETS Program, and Supported Independent Living Program. Kathy never waivered from being an ardent advocate for the individuals in service, and was passionate about her work; continually going the extra mile to support the individuals and the staff that reported to her.

Kathy was always the first to remember and recognize little things- birthdays, staff promotions, staff leaving etc. She loved the individuals and got to know as many as she could very well, having a great ability for retaining the little details on how best to support each. Kathy embraced tackling new projects and assignments, especially those that could benefit the individuals and staff. She was fun loving and expressive; thoroughly enjoying taking individuals out into the community while giving one on one attention. Kathy loved to step in and to do front line work whenever she could, and was always interested in development and skill building for herself and her staff.

In 1997, fate brought Kathy and Paolo Baccichet together, and a budding romance ensued. Kathy had met her soul mate in Paolo, and their love was sealed in Marriage on July 15th, 2000 at St. Margaret Mary Church (Woodbridge, ON).

During their 25 years of love and happiness Kathy & Paolo enjoyed much time with family, travelling to Las Vegas and Italy, the shared joy of their dog Zorro, and Kathy learning Italian cooking skills from her mother-in-law. Kathy & Paolo’s story together can be summed up in three words; Happiness, Love and Family. Kathy exuded kindness, love, and a curiosity of all things new - the hallmark of her life was compassion.

Kathy is survived by her husband Paolo Baccichet, her father in-law Gianfranco Baccichet (the late Norma Baccichet), her brother Gregory McDowell (Aaron Dinsmore), Uncle William ‘Bill’ McDowell (Aunt Michelle McDowell), and Uncle Wayne McDowell (Aunt Carol McDowell). Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Alexander McDowell and Beverly Patricia Burke, Aunt Margaret Jennings (Uncle Thomas Jennings), and Aunt Doreen Delaney (Uncle Albert Delaney). Kathy will be tremendously missed by her family including numerous cousins in Canada and the US, and by the many friends and colleagues who were such an important part of her life.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal”
From an Irish headstone

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations in Kathy’s honour to the
Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/beat-as-one/donate-today