Longtime educator and youth advocate Kay Jones has been named Castlegar’s Citizen of the Year for 2022.
Jones has lived in Castlegar for more than 50 years. She taught school for 40 years, and with 30 of those spent at Kinnaird Elementary, there are a lot of Castlegar residents who were privileged to have her as their teacher.
“Every child who was lucky enough to be in her classroom remembers her for her kindness and acceptance for who they were,” said fellow teacher and 2017 Citizen of the Year Inga Lamont.
Jones was honoured by the Knights of Columbus at a ceremony at St. Rita’s Parish Hall on Wednesday, May 31.
When she heard the news, Jones said she was “shocked and very humbled because there are so many wonderful deserving citizens in our beloved Castlegar.”
Citizen of the Year committee member Bob Saari said Jones had received more nominations than any other previous nominee.
Jones is known as one of those special teachers that makes a true impact on her students and continues to keep in touch with them into adulthood. But her accolades extend far beyond her teaching career.
“Whether with students, community or helping others, Kay is all about the connections she makes with people,” said Bruce Gerrand in his nomination. “Kay always gives more than she takes.”
She has been a dedicated Sunrise Rotary member for decades where she has served as sergeant and spent 20 years on the Wine Fest committee. Jones was also instrumental in Rotary’s exchange student program, supporting at least 50 outgoing and incoming youth over many years. Some of those students still maintain connections with Jones.
She has also volunteered with Concerts in the Park, SPCA, Kootenay Society for Community Living, and many other local causes.
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When asked what she considers as her greatest accomplishment, Jones lists her children, her teaching career and her work with Rotary exchange students.
Jones has a special needs daughter, Julie, with autism that sparked another aspect of her volunteerism and advocacy.
“We would never want to be without her, we love her dearly, but autism is challenging,” said Jones.
Jones and her husband David have taken a very active role in their daughter’s education and care and have spent countless hours researching the best ways to support her.
Jones is active with the local agency that supports Julie, Kootenay Society for Community Living, and served on the KSCL board for six years.
“Kay was understanding and not demanding. She was positive and not bitter,” said one of Julie’s former teachers Michael Balahura. “She helped us all get better at our jobs and for that we are truly grateful.”
Jones also has a son that is the head of aquatics at a private school in the Vancouver area.
What Jones intended as a one-year stint in swim club to develop better swimming skills turned into a life-long love of swimming.
“Thank God for Castlegar Aquanauts,” says Jones.
Jones was a Castlegar Aquanauts booster for many years, supporting fundraising endeavours and volunteering at swim meets.
Jones is thankful for the role David has played in her life.
“I have been extra fortunate to have a wonderful husband who has been supportive of all the mad and crazy things I have done!”
As she makes her mark as the 2022 Citizen of the Year, Jones is facing some serious health challenges. She is undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer.
“It is terminal, but treatable,” says Jones, who is quick give thanks for the “wonderful treatment” she has had from local health care teams.
In spite of the challenges, Jones is keeping her trademark positive outlook and sense of humour.
“I might not be here forever, but in between medical appointments I have fun with lots of my wonderful friends,” she says.
“We have to make every day special, because you don’t know what the next day is going to be.”
“I have had an excellent life and wouldn’t live anywhere else but Castlegar.”
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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