May 11, 1947 - January 25, 2025
In loving memory ~
Lenore Gaye McKim was born in Kimberley BC, May 11th, 1947 and passed on Saturday the 25th of January 2025.
Lennie, my sister, was always connected to 4 legged creatures, be they kittens that she brought home, family dogs; or reptilian ones living nearby our house at Bonnington, showing them to her fascinated baby brother. But most of all she, to the full extent of love, she loved horses absolutely.
That love set her on a lifelong pursuit of equine understanding and was furthered and shared by our Mum and Dad when, in 1960, we moved to Willow Point, where 5 horses mostly of Arabian breeding, lived with us on the acreage. There was one particular Mare though, thought to be mostly Morgan, that Lennie rescued from certain demise. Nobody else could get near the horse where Lennie and Dad found her, but Lennie in her uncanny way invited the animal right up to her.
The bond was forever; the trust in each other saw Lennie and Gay Crest compete in many events, from Halter, Dressage and Jumping. They were both naturals. The rare natural talent of the combo caught the attention of an RCMP musical ride Captain, who coached both along the way.
Lennie's success was also seen by the Canadian National Team, and was invited to London, England to compete. The gala surroundings cemented what Lennie always would adhere to, that she was way more comfortable amongst horses than humans; a shortcoming when on an international stage.
With no regrets she returned to Canada and lived for a very long while in Calgary, close to arenas, training equine and equestrian, doing what she loved.
Her association with big animals cost her much physical injury, suffering many fractures and later on in life enduring much pain, but her love never diminished and endured right to the end. In 2018 she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis that really set her back. We moved her back home to Willow Point to a house in the field where most of her horsing around began; where she taught her little brother, age 4, to ride.
She grew to be an integral part of the family, Auntie to 3 boys: she was always gracious, generous and loving, and not one to back down when a teaching moment arose. Her motto: "If I don't do it, who will?".
Lennie saddled up on January 25th and rode over the horizon to be with her kindred equine spirits, and other four-legged friends.
Her nephews Micah, Jack and Ira, sons of Jay and Eva; eldest brother Dan, wife Carey and daughter Kate, will miss her a whole bunch. But whenever horses appear we will think of her.
A small ceremony for her will occur in the Spring