Obituary of Kathleen Atkinson

ATKINSON: Kathleen Atkinson passed away in The Lloydminster Hospital on Friday, July 15, 2005 at the age of 90 years. Kathleen Frances Tarleton was born to Frank and Nettie Tarleton at Lashburn on May 17, 1915. When she was three years old and her brother, Charlie was one and one half their mother died of the 1918 flu. In 1924 their dad married a nurse from the Lashburn Hospital who became a loving stepmother to Kathleen and Charlie and mother to daughters, Jean and Pat. Kathleen attended school at Rereshill and Lashburn and after completing her schooling she worked for several families who were needing help with their housework or sewing. Times were not always easy in those days but there were some happy get togethers and Kathleen especially enjoyed her association with the Hall and Bradley girls. A highlight of her life was when she was seven years old, her Aunt Elsie Young took her son, George and Kathleen to Ireland to visit family. They stayed for a year and Kathleen began school over there. Memories of the two week boat ride and the relatives she met remained with her for the rest of her life. She was an excellent seamstress and was often called upon to do sewing for other people. Rarely did she have a new piece of fabric to work from but would take an old garment and carefully take it apart and from that she would create something looking brand new. In 1938 she married Bill Atkinson, a young Englishman who had come to Canada to farm. At that time he was working for Kathleen’s Uncle and Aunts, the Ollmerts who provided them with a little two room house in which to live. When the Ollmerts retired and moved to Lashburn, Kathleen and Bill moved into their house and over the years made improvements to it and kept a meticulous yard. During this time two daughters were born to them, Sandra and Doreen. After Bill’s death in 1988, Kathleen moved to Lashburn and then in 1997 she and Doreen moved to Lloydminster. She passed away on July 15, 2005 and is survived by daughter, Sandra and her husband Grant Wightman, granddaughter, Luanne and her husband, Andy Jones, grandson Curtis and his wife, Rachel, daughter, Doreen Jalbert, grandson, Sheldon and his wife Tanis and great granddaughter, Brooke, grandson, Darwin and great granddaughter, Kaylin, sister-in-law, Connie Tarleton, sisters Jean Milne and Pat (Ken) McKenzie, and special friends, Noni and Henry Smolik. She was predeceased by her husband Bill, and brother Charlie. A memorial service was conducted from The All Saints Anglican Church, Lashburn on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Terry Wiebe officiating. The eulogy was given by Luanne Jones. The organist was Eileen Evans and the hymns sung were: Amazing Grace and In The Garden. Interment followed in The Lashburn Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks The family of the late Kathleen Frances Atkinson (nee Tarleton) wish to express their sincere gratitude to all their family and friends for their support and kindness shown through our difficult time. Thank you to the Lloydminster Ambulance Service and sincere gratitude to Dr. Van Vuuren and the nursing staff of the Lloydminster Hospital. The assistance provided through Home Care was greatly appreciated. Our sincere thanks to Dale, Glenn and Dave McCaw for their understanding and professional service shown and to Reverend Terry Wiebe for such a touching tribute and service to the family and to Eileen Evans, organist and to Luanne Jones (nee Wightman) with the support of her husband, ‘Andy’ gave the eulogy. We also wish to thank all those who sent cards, flowers, food, memorial contributions and to all who attended Mom’s funeral and to the family members who provided the lunch afterwards in the Lashburn Senior Centre. From our family to all of you we sincerely say “Thank you.” We will treasure your support and kindness in our hearts “Forever.” In lieu of ‘thank you cards’ we will be sending a donation to the Palliative Care Ward. Doreen Jalbert Sheldon, Tanis and Brook Jalbert Darwin Jalbert and daughter Kaylin Grant and Sandra Wightman Luanne and Andy Jones Curtis and Rachel Wightman Donations in memory of Kathleen may be made to the Osteoarthritis Society.