Catherine Farrell

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, Catherine Farrell of Kentville, at the age of 88, on April 7, 2024. Born in Dublin, Ireland, to parents Alan and Kathleen Hynes, the oldest of 10 children. Catherine her husband, Gerard, and their four children emigrated to Canada in 1966 and settled in Montreal, Quebec. They started their new life in Canada with the ex-patriot Irish community.

Catherine was a seamstress in Ireland and continued that career while living in Montreal. Upon retirement, Catherine volunteered with Meals and Wheels, at Hospices administering sacraments on Sundays to the infirm and assisted a group of mentally challenged young adults transitioning from institutionalized life to living on their own. They were known as Catherine’s boys.

A large part of their lives was the Tara Golf Association of Montreal, which resulted in lifelong friendships with the community and her many golfing friends. Catherine’s primary hobby was golfing, where she won a number of golf tournaments and had a "hole in one" at the age of 72. Her other hobbies include painting, pottery, sewing, crochet, needlework, reading and travel. She was an incredibly creative woman, taking discarded goods and turning them into art that was much appreciated by her family. At the age of 78, Catherine decided to live near one of her sons and made the move from Montreal to Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Catherine is survived by her oldest son, Gerard, daughter in law, Shobha Pai, grandchildren, Conor, Michael, and Meghan; son, Alan, granddaughter Fiona; son, David; daughter, Maura, son in law, Larry Payne, and grandson, Matthew. Also surviving are her brothers, Allan, Johnny; sisters, Phyllis, Marie, and Angela as well as her many nephews and nieces in Ireland, England, and Australia. In addition to Catherine’s parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gerry; brother, Eddie; sisters, Rosie, Betty, and Peggy.

The immediate family would like to send out special thanks to Dr. Todd of Kentville, who conducted a number of home visits during Catherine’s declining health. In addition, we are extremely thankful for the staff at Valley Hospice in Kentville. The entire team treated our mother with tenderness and respect in her final month of life, as though she was part of their family.

Cremation has taken place, there will be a funeral service at St. Joseph’s Church on April 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Catherine’s ashes will be transported back to Ireland where they will lie with her parents in Dublin.

Donations in Catherine’s memory can be sent to the Valley Hospice Foundation in Kentville, Nova Scotia if one is so disposed. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To view the livestream, and for online condolences or inquiries please visit www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.