Ms. Kaitlyn Pirie passed away peacefully on December 9, 2021 at the age of 32, surrounded by the comfort of her family.  Kaitlyn will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Alison Gamble, parents Victor and Elaine Pirie, older siblings Carmen (Kieran) Biggins, Eric (Amber Mrak) Pirie and Glenn (Dana) Pirie, young nieces and nephews Elena Biggins, Liam Biggins, Atlas Pirie and Autumn Pirie as well as numerous extended family and friends.

Kaitlyn was born on September 23, 1989, in Whitehorse, Yukon, one month premature which caused much excitement for her parents and three older siblings!  While Kaitlyn was still a baby, the family moved to Nakusp, British Columbia where they lived for ten years.  Whether it was mountain biking, boating, camping, creating backyard plays, or finding themselves up to mischievous fun, Kaitlyn and her siblings could always be found together.  Kaitlyn and her family then moved to Lethbridge when she was 11 years old, where she became involved in many different activities until she graduated high school. 

Following high school, Kaitlyn embarked on a Rotary Youth Exchange to Belgium for one year, during which time she made many friends from around the world. Upon her return to Lethbridge, Kaitlyn began her post-secondary education.  Although she had many challenges during this time, Kaitlyn proudly graduated with her Bachelors of Education degree with Great Distinction, to the loud cheering of her daughter and family. 

In September 2019, just as Kaitlyn was starting her teaching career, life threw her a curveball and she was diagnosed with a late stage and very rare form of cervical cancer.  As a result of the aggressiveness of her diagnosis, Kaitlyn underwent many different treatments in order to spend more time with her daughter, family and friends.  Throughout this incredibly difficult time, Kaitlyn kept her humour and preferred to call it her “chronic cancer.”

     Kaitlyn’s greatest joy in life was her daughter, Alison (Ali), and the two of them shared a special and everlasting mother-daughter bond.  Ali could often be seen quietly leaning over and whispering in her mommy’s ear “I love you.”  Kaitlyn and Ali shared many wonderful memories, including camping and hiking in the mountains, geocaching, crafting and board games, musical theatre and snuggling on the couch.  Kaitlyn and Ali also loved to spend time with family and you could always count on Auntie Katie (as she was known to her nieces and nephews) to lead Ali and the Cousin Crew on their next great adventure!  Kaitlyn instilled in Ali a strong sense of social justice and was so proud of how kind and compassionate Ali is.  The love between a mother and daughter knows no distance and Ali will always have her mommy as her special guardian angel. 

As a coach, teacher, patient, friend, cousin, niece, aunt, sister, daughter and mom, Kaitlyn had a profound impact on those around her.  She had a unique gift for bringing enthusiasm and excitement to everything and everyone.  Her ‘light-up-a-room’ smile will forever be cherished.  

Due to COVID restrictions, a private Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge Alberta.

The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream to do so going to https://www.fhwebsites.org/ymb/obituary/Kaitlyn-Pirie and scrolling to the bottom of Kaitlyn’s obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to a cancer charity of your choice.