Obituary of Kaysandra Anne Curtis

After a battle with cancer, Kaysandra Curtis (n"e Sookram) passed away peacefully in Windsor on June 30, 2017 at the age of 59 years. Beloved mother to Steven (Sarah Curtis) of Mackenzie B.C., Cydney Mckenzie Curtis and guardian parent to Hara Hordofa of Toronto. She is predeceased by her loving mother Veronica Sookram (2016) and by her brother Kerwin Sookram (2003). Kaysandra is survived by her father Jonny Sookram as well as her sisters Sabrina Malaney, Karmille Sookram, Koscina Sookram-Quintal and her brothers Kwencyd Sookram and Kadel Sookram.Kay, the oldest child, was born at home in San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) on August 16th 1957. Early on she excelled as both a student and an athlete competing with the T&T National field hockey team. Immigrating to Canada in 1977, Kay brought with her many of the values she inherited from the island community, especially that family extended beyond bloodlines. Kay began her career as a nanny. She attended night classes at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario where she earned a Registered Nurse Diploma. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Windsor came later. For many years, she worked the intensive care and critical care units at St. Joseph"s Hospital in Hamilton and Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor. During her marriage she spent many years as the only income earner, providing for her husband and two children. She encouraged her spouse to become an author and later managed him towards a successful career. Kay had an amazing ability to take people under her wing and guide them to achieve far more than they originally believed they could. Her talents expanded into raising funds to create a children"s learning center at the Windsor Public Library. She also created the Pediatric R.E.A.D program which delivered books to new mothers to help them understand the importance of reading to children at an early age. She transitioned into a career relating to literacy, creating the business Nothing But Curtis LTD., managing authors, negotiating book deals and organizing events for authors. Her energy and community involvement seemed endless. She was a member of the St. Clair College Board of Governors, President of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, Chair of the Carousel of Nations, President of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), creator & host of the Cogeco television show Mentors Matter, founder of Divorced D.I.V.A.S and Do Good D.I.V.A.S. Kay was involved in international work, participating in a National Immunization Day in India. She created the Kenyan Tea Party fundraiser to build water towers and school kitchens in Kenya. Her efforts earned her awards and recognition. Lessons she learned in life allowed her to assist many youths and adults, particularly women, overcome obstacles in their lives. Kay became certified in coaching, family mediation and leadership and then created Curtis Coaching Mediation LTD. She was a wonderful example to many women of how to achieve and display power, strength, loyalty and devotion all while being a classy lady. Armed with an appreciation for hard work and education, she led a life that followed an upward trajectory of accomplishments. Her legacy will remain far past the time that we were blessed with her presence. Her inclusivity, kindness, joy for life and sense of style, that was the epitome of elegance, fostered a family of friends in Windsor that shone its light in her greatest time of need.In Lieu of flowers as expressions of sympathy, the family requests donations be made in honour of Kay to the Windsor Essex Community Foundation to support the Kaysandra Curtis Memorial Children"s Literacy Endowment Fund. Donations can be made directly online at www.wecf.ca. Lastly, heartfelt thanks to friends too numerous to list who gave their support over the past weeks and months. Special thanks to Maureen Flannery who opened her home and arms to Kay and her family during her critical illness. Visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Rd. East, 519-253-7234 on Wednesday July 5, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Visitation will continue at Banwell Community Church (2400 Banwell Road) on Thursday July 6, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Victoria Memorial Gardens Cemetery.