Kasja "Kitty" Meadwell

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, Ontario which was accessible only by train. The family then relocated to Sioux Lookout, Ontario. She joined the Royal Canadian Women’s Army Corp at the age of 18 and served in Ottawa, Ontario. Upon her discharge in 1946 she attended Business School in Winnipeg. 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, Saskatchewan where two more children were added to the family. The family then transferred to The Pas, Manitoba in 1960 and then again to Fort Frances, Ontario in 1970. After retirement Kitty and Ken moved to Dryden, Ontario 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 could often 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 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 is also 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 was also blessed with ten 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 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 2:00 pm at LaVerendrye Columbarium at Riverview Cemetery, Fort Frances, Ontario with Pastor Diane Clifford officiating.

Honourary pallbearers will be all her grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Rainycrest Long Term Care for their excellent care over the past year and a half. Also, a very special thank you to Helen Neurinski for being such a special friend and watching over Kitty.

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 care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com