In Loving Memory of Kay Boyd

Kay Ridout Boyd

Kay Boyd, in her 91st year, passed peacefully at Brantford General Hospital Palliative Care on December 26, 2025, following an injury suffered in a fall at her home. Kay was born on June 13, 1934, in Owen Sound, Ontario. She was the daughter of Thomas and Addie Bott.

Kay Boyd (more fully Kay Ridout Boyd) was a Brantford-area community leader, educator, and creative spirit. Her life reads like a tapestry of careers, service, and artistic engagement. Kay was educated at Ryerson Polytechnic in Toronto. She worked for Fisher Scientific Company in Toronto in her early career.  During that time, she married and had four children. After being abandoned by her first husband, she moved from Copper Cliff, Ontario, to Brantford with three children and soon after delivered her fourth child. Her parents opened their home and provided unwavering love and support to this new family.

Kay’s selfless commitment to her children was steadfast. Without any support from her estranged husband, she overcame many obstacles to ensure that her children received the care and direction that would form the foundation of their future success. After moving into a small two-bedroom house, Kay took in two more children, Cindy and Elizabeth Boyd. She ultimately married Jim Boyd, the father of those two girls. Kay was a great cook, and her dinners were a cornerstone of family life growing up in Brantford.

Kay’s earliest employment in Brantford was with a temporary office staff agency, and in her off hours, she worked as an accomplished dressmaker. After being hired by Mohawk College to teach office skills to adult students, she advanced to serve as the Academic Chair of the Adult Continuing Education Faculty, guiding adult learners and shaping continuing education programs for many years. She retired from a long career there.
Kay was active in many organizations. She worked diligently to improve the lives of single parents. She was the first non-American elected as President of Parents Without Partners International. In that role, she travelled North America and Europe speaking on behalf of the organization. In Brantford, she volunteered with the Brantford Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Glenhyrst Art Gallery, St. Joseph’s Hospital Hospice, and the YWCA.

Kay was a talented artist. Her many skills included photography, pottery, weaving, quilting, costume design, doll making, sand casting, and needlework. Her children benefited from these skills and experiences, which enriched and, in some cases, guided their chosen vocations.

Kay’s wisdom and guidance were legendary among friends and family. She had learned life’s lessons well and was always ready to help anyone who needed insight or positive support. In a final note to her children Kay espoused three pure virtues, generosity of spirit, courage and justice. She adhered to those virtues throughout her life. She also demonstrated through action the importance of hard work, personal responsibility and ethics. Her wisdom and support will be sorely missed.

Kay leaves behind her sister Lola Timms and her children and spouses, Catherine Timms &  Kevin Fuller, Sarah Timms and Karl Raham. Kay’s children and spouses, Tom Ridout & Nancy Cain, Nancy & Joe Bortoluss, Mark Ridout & Chantal Tessier, David Ridout & Pam Johnston, Cindy & Richard Allan. Elizabeth Boyd predeceased Kay.
Kay had several grandchildren: Meg, Doug and Shandy (from Dave and Pam’s blended family), Jennifer, Thomas, Jillian, Isaac and Liam (from Mark and Chantal’s blended family), Rebecca, Dirk and Emily from Cindy and Richards family, Delray from Elizabeth’s family. Her great grandchildren on Marks side include Page, Simon, Weston and Asher.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, staff and PSW’s inside and outside Brantford General Hospital who worked with compassion and professionalism during her final days.

A celebration of life will be arranged in the early spring. Kay will be cremated, and her ashes interred in a family plot in Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound, Ontario. Family and friends will sorely miss Kay, but as the great Irving Berlin once said, “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” And so it does.