Memorable Manitobans: Kathleen Isabel Thorpe Broatch Best (1880-1968)

Kathleen Best Click to enlarge

Educator.

Born at Grey, Ontario on 20 November 1880, daughter of Andrew Broatch (c1839-1918) and Jane Thom (1838-1930), she grew up and resided at the family’s Winnipeg home at 124 Emily Street.

She took teacher training then taught in the Winnipeg School Division, at Albert School (1899-1900), Aberdeen School (1903-1904), Norquay School (1907-1908), Dufferin School (1904-1905), Wellington School (1908-1909, 1910-1915), and Alexandra School (1915-1916) before returning to Albert School as Principal (1916-1918). She was President of the Winnipeg Teachers Club (1918).

She married Cecil Harold Best of Neepawa at Winnipeg on 14 November 1918 and had two children: Douglas Broatch Best (1921-1976) and Kathryn Cecile Best (wife of Mr. H. Aitken).

She died at Pointe Claire, Quebec on 17 September 1968 and was buried at Omemee [Emily], Ontario in the Emily Presbyterian Cemetery.

Sources:

Marriage registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Andrew Broatch dead,” Manitoba Free Press, 21 March 1918, page 4.

“Society [Miss Kathleen Broatch], Manitoba Free Press, 13 November 1918, page 6.

Death notice [Jane Broatch], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 June 1930, page 26.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 September 1968, page 32.

Greig-McLean-Best family tree, Ancestry.

Yolli family tree, Ancestry.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.

Page revised: 5 January 2025

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!