Kathryn Elizabeth Kerbes

November 24, 1955 - June 17, 2025

In loving memory ~

Kathryn Elizabeth "Kathi" Kerbes (née Phillips) passed away following a short but courageous fight with a rare and aggressive cancer on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, with her loving husband and partner of 43 years, Hal Kerbes, by her side.

Born in Calgary, AB, on November 24, 1955, Kathi grew up in the close-knit community of St. Andrews Heights. In 1958, she proudly became a big sister to Frederick "Tom" Phillips.

As a student at Parkdale Junior High and later Queen Elizabeth High School, she immersed herself in music, later becoming a proud member of the original Calgary Stampede Band. She began studying music education at the University of Calgary in 1973. It was there that she first locked eyes with Hal Kerbes. Their first date on November 1, 1975, would become the annual "Nerds' Night Out," marked with a rose for each passing year. Kathi and Hal were married on December 30, 1982, at Central United Church. Their daughter Sarah was born in 1984, followed by Hannah in 1991.

Kathi began her teaching career with Rocky View School Division in Chestermere, AB, starting with band and choir and quickly expanding into drama—simply because she was "the artsy type". It was when she returned to the U of C for a crash course in drama that she discovered her true passion. She went on to develop an award-winning high school drama program and later served as the division's Fine Arts Consultant.

She began working on stage in the 1980s in such memorable productions as Waiting for the Parade and Blood Brothers. Following the unexpected passing of their friend and collaborator Peter Spear in 1988, Kathi, Hal, and Gail Whiteford took the helm of Aurora Stage, transforming it into Shadow Productions. Launched to fulfil Peter's remaining murder mystery bookings, Shadow grew into a thriving company. At its peak, it presented over 250 shows annually, from interactive murder mysteries to medieval feasts, and creating Stage West for Kids. In 1998, Kathi and Hal received the Harry and Martha Cohen Award for their sustained, significant contribution to theatre in Calgary, AB. After 21 years of teaching, Kathi transitioned into a full-time career in professional theatre. Over the next two and a half decades, she appeared on stages across Alberta and British Columbia, including Theatre Calgary, Stage West, Alberta Theatre Projects, Lunchbox Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, The Chemainus Theatre Festival and Theatre Northwest.

Kathi was a two-time Betty Mitchell Award recipient—best ensemble for Book Club at Lunchbox Theatre, and for Best Actress for The Hollow at Vertigo Theatre. She also appeared in several film and television projects, most notably in Steven Spielberg's Into the West.

Kathi will be remembered for her extraordinary creativity, warmth, humour, and fierce dedication to the arts and education. She is survived by her husband, Hal Kerbes; daughters, Sarah Milliard (Wyatt Milliard) and Hannah Kerbes (Brandon Anson); grandchildren, Violet and Sam Milliard; brother, Tom Phillips (Jasmin Olhoff); sister-in-law, Annette Berry (Mike Berry); her many nieces and their families, along with many great friends. She will be remembered by a generation of Chestermere High School students and theatre colleagues across the country.

She was predeceased by her parents, Kaye and Fred Phillips; grandparents, aunts and uncles, and four of her cousins.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Zoo, c/o Aldera Chisholm, 1300 Zoo Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, www.calgaryzoo.com or StoryBook Theatre, 375 Bermuda Dr N.W., Calgary, AB T3K 2J5, www.storybooktheatre.org.

A private family interment was held at Queen's Park Cemetery on June 28, 2025.

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the Marda Loop Community Centre.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Kathryn's family at www.MHFH.com.

In living memory of Kathryn Kerbes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.