Obituary of Kathleen Isadora McFarlane

The death of Kathleen I. (McKnight) McFarlane occurred on February 28^th, 2025 at Ed’s House Hospice in Cobourg. Born September 2^nd, 1923 in Fredericton, she was the daughter of the late Ivan and Ada Snow McKnight. She was predeceased by her husband Robert E. McFarlane, a native of Renfrew, Ontario, in 1988; by her two brothers, John McKnight and Ralph McKnight; and very dear friend and partner Fred Warnock.

Upon her husband’s return from overseas service with the Canadian Army in 1946, they moved to Ottawa and lived there for 25 years where he was stationed as a member of the RCMP. While in Ottawa she worked for several years in the Reference Division of the National Library of Canada. On their return to Fredericton in 1973, she was employed in the Harriet Irving Library at the University of New Brunswick. She was a long time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion (Br #4) and was for many years a member of St Paul’s United Church.

She is survived by a son, Scott McFarlane of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and two daughters, Patricia Kinniburgh of Arnprior, Ontario, and Jane McFarlane of Port Hope, Ontario. Also surviving are eight grandchildren; Nancy McFarlane, Scott Kinniburgh, Joe Kinniburgh, Julie Kinniburgh (Marty Dudgeon); Cristian Melchiorre (Lisa Gotlieb), Jordan Melchiorre (Alexis), Luke Melchiorre (Maria Moreno-Perez), and Jessica Melchiorre; six great-grandchildren, Jordan and Cole Dudgeon, and Leo, Maeve, Gloria, and Lorenzo Melchiorre.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Karen Nortthey, Andrea Smith and the other members of the Wellness Team at Empire Crossing, Dr. Francesco Mule and the staff of Ed’s House for the kindness and care given to Mom and the rest of us, in her last days on this earth.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, March 4^th, 2025 at 2pm at Allison Funeral Home, Port Hope. The service can also be accessed via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82833236253?pwd=bCMLE05orFPUHbbIlmML8rmT4faHkg.1 (Meeting ID: 828 3323 6253, Passcode: 550225). 

For those who wish donations may be made to the ALS Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Red Cross, or the charity of the donor’s choice.