Kathleen Duffenais nee MacDonald)
August 02, 1920 – September 14, 2019
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Memorial Donation
Kathleen Duffenais (nee MacDonald) passed peacefully away surrounded by her family at Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital on September 14th, 2019 at the age of 99 years. Kathleen was born on August 2nd, 1920 in Grand Falls, NL to Angus MacDonald and Elizabeth (Colbert) MacDonald. Kathleen was so tiny at birth that she was rushed to be baptized right away as it was thought that she would not survive past that day. Not only did she survive the day but she grew to be a force to be reckoned with. Even as a child, she was not afraid to speak her mind, and that in part led to her childhood nick name “Spitfire”.
At age 8, Kathleen suffered the loss of her mother and then spent most of her childhood years with her sister Ethel at St. Joseph’s Boarding School in St. George’s where she bonded with some lifelong friends. Upon her graduation from high school she went on to Teachers College in St. John’s and eventually took a teaching position in Winterhouses on the Port au Port Peninsula where she met her future husband, Reginald Duffenais. Together she and Reg had eleven children including three daughters and a son who died as babies and another son who died in 1994 at the age of 37. Life was difficult at times with so many mouths to feed, a husband with a heart condition and the two youngest children with a bleeding disorder that required many hospitalizations, but even with all that, they counted their blessings and were contented in their home life. In Kathleen and Reg’s home, religion and faith were very important. They prayed the rosary with their children every evening and if neighbors happen to drop by, they too would join the family in prayer. Though her children would tease her that she wasn’t the greatest cook, Kathleen always showed kindness and generosity in offering some of whatever food she had at her table. There was always room for one more and always a pot of tea on the stove. Kathleen was an avid reader, a teller of stories, a writer of poems and a pillar of strength. She was well respected, admired and loved. One does not have to look very far to see that love and admiration reflected in the eyes of those around her. That once tiny baby who was thought not to survive her first day of life went on to live 99 years. She touched so many lives and the world was indeed a better place because she was in it. Kathleen lived a good long life and now has moved on to her eternal reward to be reunited with those in her family who left this life before her, her husband Reg, her children Iris, Mary, Mildred, Joseph, Robert, her grandchildren Justin and Scott and her great grandchildren Teddy and Karlie Rose, her sisters Ethel, Marie, Ruby, Eva and Shirley, her brothers, Gerald, Donald, Stephen, William and Angus Jr. her father Angus, her mother Elizabeth, her step mother Effie, her sons in law Hillary Marche, Clayton White and Wilfred Marche. Kathleen leaves behind many to cherish memories of her. Her sons Gary, Tom , Leonard(Jeannie) Duffenais and daughters Gail (Charlie) Swinamer, Linda Marche and Rita Marche will forever treasure having had her in their lives for no one could ask for a more loving mother. Kathleen also leaves behind a daughter of the heart Linda Penney who always thought of Kathleen as a second mom and who was in turn embraced as a member of their family. She will certainly be missed by Rose Murphy who not only was her homecare worker for the past seven years but who also became a special friend. Kathleen also leaves to mourn three sisters Loretta, Annie and Vine, and one brother Hector as well as a multitude of grandchildren, great great grandchildren, great greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. If your path in life has intersected with Kathleen’s you have been fortunate. Kathleen’s life is over but her legacy lives on in those who love her and will never forget her. Visitation will take place from Russell’s Funeral Home on Monday September 16th from 7-9 and Tuesday September 17th from 2-4 and 7-9 The funeral service will take place from St. Stephen’s Parish on Wednesday September 18th at 2 p.m. with interment to follow in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Piccadilly. In lieu of flowers donations in Kathleen’s memory may be made to the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian Hemophilia Society.
Donations can be mailed by cheque payable to: Canadian Hemophilia Society-Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter (CHS-NL) or etransfer to Jeff Jerrett-Treasurer jeffjerrett@nlesd.ca
SERVICES
Visitation
Monday, September 16, 2019
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Russells Funeral Home
57 Prince Rupert Dr.
Stephenville, NL A2N 2Z5
Visitation
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Russells Funeral Home
57 Prince Rupert Dr.
Stephenville, NL A2N 2Z5
Visitation
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Russells Funeral Home
57 Prince Rupert Dr.
Stephenville, NL A2N 2Z5
Funeral Service
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
2:00 PM
St Stephens Parish
West Street
Stephenville, NL
August 02 1920 – September 14 2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Kathleen Duffenais nee MacDonald..
Décès pour la Ville: Stephenville, Province: T-N