After overcoming many challenges in her life, most recently the great flood of June 2013, and an especially brave struggle for the last eight months, the family of Kathleen (Kay) Elizabeth Holland is saddened to announce her peaceful passing with dignity and grace on February 17, 2014 at the age of 93.
Kathleen was born September 22, 1920 in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, Ireland to Richard and Lily Fennell. At six months of age she travelled with her mother from Ireland to Scapa (near Hanna, Alberta) where her father had begun homesteading. She had happy times on the farm, but when her father died in 1929 and the Depression started, managing the farm became a struggle for her mother, so she moved to Calgary with Kathleen and Ruby. After high school she trained as a comptometer operator. In 1941, she married John (Jack) Angus Holland in St. Catherine’s, Ontario where they lived for two years before she enlisted with the Women’s Air Corps and was stationed in Claresholm while John was overseas in World War II. After beginning their marriage in Ontario, they lived the remainder of their married life in Calgary except for six and a half years in St. Albert, Alberta. Kathleen was a hard-working and dedicated wife and mother who taught her family many valuable life lessons.
Kathleen had an active retirement walking, hiking, cross country skiing, golfing, lawn bowling and travelling. Reading, following current affairs and playing bridge and other card games were also some of her favorite pastimes. She gave generously to her community by being a dedicated volunteer for many organizations including The Nifty Fifties, The Go Getters, Second Sixties, Operation Eyesight and most especially with Meals on Wheels, where she was given a thirty year service award.
Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, two sons Brian and Daniel, her sister Ruby Stark, and in 2000 her husband, Jack, just months before their 60th anniversary. In 2009 she sold her home in Parkdale to move closer to her daughter and son-in-law in High River.
Kathleen is survived by her four children: Maureen Ward (Eric) of High River, Beth Wilson (Thom) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sylvia Holland (Catherine Kerr) of Vancouver, and Mark Holland (Josanne) of Vancouver; her four grandchildren: Paula David (Dean), Michael Ward, Gregory Wilson and Elliot Wilson, and three great grandchildren: Colton, Noah and Mia David.
The family would like to thank the staff at Parkside (Medicine Tree Manor) in High River, Wheatland Lodge in Strathmore which sheltered her after the flood, Rockyview Hospital and the High River Hospital, and Dr. Tam and Dr. Fortin for the care and kindness shown Kathleen.
A Memorial Service will be held in the chapel of the High River United Church, 123 Macleod Trail SW, High River, AB on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made directly to Operation Eyesight, 4 Parkdale Cres NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3T8.
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