It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Kitty Meadwell, with family at her side, on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. at the age of 88.
Kitty was born June 5, 1926 in Tasjo, Sweden.
When Kitty was four years old, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and two older brothers to the “land of milk and honey,” and landed in Ycliff, Ont., which was accessible only by train.
The family then relocated to Sioux Lookout, Ont.
She joined the Royal Canadian Women’s Army Corp at the age of 18 and served in Ottawa, Ont. Upon her discharge in 1946, she attended Business School in Winnipeg, Man.
After completion, she returned to Sioux Lookout to work.
In 1948, she married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Meadwell, in Sioux Lookout and had three children.
In 1956, they transferred to Kamsack, Sask., where two more children were added to the family. The family then transferred to The Pas, Man. in 1960 and then again to Fort Frances, Ont. in 1970.
After retirement, Kitty and Ken moved to Dryden, Ont. to be closer to her aging mother. They returned to Fort Frances in 1995 to be near family.
Kitty was a “domestic engineer,” and took great pride in maintaining and decorating her many homes. She was a talented, avid sewer and often could be found at her sewing machine making clothes for the family.
She ensured that every family and grandchild had a quilt to keep them warm. There wasn’t a craft that she didn’t master, and she passed on her knowledge and love of crafts to her girls.
Kitty also loved to cook and try new recipes. She introduced her sons-in-law to a variety of foods other than “meat and potatoes.”
Kitty is survived by her children, Charles (Diane), Linda Meadwell-Rivalin, Shelley (Leon) DeGagne, Bryan (Ann), and Bonny (Martin) Halket.
She also is survived by her grandchildren, Kristen (Greg) Henry, Marc (Roxan) Meadwell, Ryan (Laura) Meadwell, Sean (Gingie) Rivalin, Garrett Rivalin, Grant (Darah) Rivalin, Shanda (Daryl) Begin, Blaine (Angela) DeGagne, Matthew (Jennifer) Meadwell, Douglas (Christina) Meadwell, Alyssa (Brad) Halket, Meghan Halket, Patrick Halket, and Andrew Halket.
Kitty also was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren, Anders, Alex, and Nevin Meadwell, Cole Henry, Kayla Rivalin, Tommy Rivalin, Jesse and Kenzie Begin, and Avery and Drew DeGagne, with two more on the way.
Also surviving are her nephews, Erik (Lorna) Lindberg and Arne (Elaine) Lindberg.
Kitty was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth Meadwell; parents, Jacob and Matilda Lindberg; in-laws, Fred and Elsie Meadwell; brothers, Kjell and Charlie Lindberg; and sisters-in-law, Iris Lindberg and Ann Smith.
Cremation has taken place.
A graveside service to celebrate Kitty’s life will be held Friday, July 31, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the LaVerendrye Columbarium at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, with Pastor Diane Clifford officiating.
The honourary pallbearers will be all her grandchildren.
If family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Fort Frances Community Chest, Rainycrest Auxiliary, or the charity of your choice in c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Fort Frances Times
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