Kathryn "Kit Poole" MacMillan

How can I be writing this now? We were supposed to be amusingly quirky old ladies together. My sister, and best friend Kit MacMillan, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 19, 2023, of cardiac arrest.  She had just turned 68. 

Kit was a positive force in the world. She had a quick wit, a happy nature, a cheeky sense of humor and loved to laugh. Health issues never had her saying “why me” but rather “why not me”. 

Kit was born and raised in Burnaby, B.C. Parents Patricia and John Poole ensured she had an idyllic childhood split between Deer Lake and Campbell River. The gift of freedom had Kit playing outside all day, until the tuneless blat from Dad’s cornet called her home. Other girls played with dolls but not Kit.  She had jars of sea creatures in formaldehyde lining her shelves.

Entering university at the tender age of 16, Kit majored in biology at SFU. She also majored in fun at the gym and Thursday pub nights. Kit even had fun in the library, where she was nearly expelled for knocking over a full bookshelf while vigorously competing in chariot races on the rolling chairs.

In 1978 Kit and I embarked on a 10-month backpacking trip to Europe and the Middle East. This trip was transformative for Kit. It expanded her worldview such that she became a self-described news junkie for the rest of her life, it developed her openminded acceptance of people, religions and cultures, and it expanded her views on art, design and cuisine. She learned to like vegetables.

Moving to Calgary in 1980, was supposed to be a six-month pitstop for Kit.  A rejection by Unemployment Insurance “you have a degree in marine biology yet you moved to Calgary?”, and a personal crisis of “now what?”, resulted in a re-evaluation of her life. Kit had always loved the written word, so she followed her instincts and enrolled in journalism at SAIT.  This put her on her life path.

Kit worked at the Calgary Sun for many years in a variety of capacities — including as the editor of special sections. She revelled in the frenetic pace of the newsroom where she was surrounded by like-minded, hardworking, irreverent creatives. It was at the Sun, that Kit met her husband Stewie, and she forged many deep friendships. Later in her career, Kit worked at Alberta Health Services where her sunny nature was a welcome asset to her team, especially during the Covid lockdown.

My sister Kit was extraordinary but no words can adequately describe her. She loved travel, books, gardening, and loved her husband, her family and friends passionately.  She was a private person, a woman of honour and integrity, fiercely loyal, and possessed a marvellously wicked sense of humour.  Our daily contact, though necessary for us, was perplexing to our husbands “what do you have to talk about, you’re seeing each other in an hour?”   And now the other half of me is gone. I yearn to see her smile, hear her laugh and feel her hug.

Grieving her absence, is Kit’s husband, Stewart MacMillan; step-daughter, Kelsie (Austin); and two cherished grandkids, Charlie and Ellie. Then there’s me, Loren Snyder; my husband, Brent; our sons, Kehl and Lukas; and my step-mother, Audrey Poole.  There are cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and many dear friends also mourning her loss. 

My beautiful, hilarious, kindhearted Sissy will be deeply missed.

We will love her forever.

 Following Kit’s wishes there will not be a funeral service. To honor her memory please practice gratitude, donate to charity, eat cake and dance on tables.