Kathleen Frances Mary Rendell
December 11, 1980 - November 23, 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our younger daughter, Kathleen Frances Mary Rendell, just 3 weeks short of her 33rd birthday. She was struck by a car while crossing Highway 11 on November 23, 2013 and killed instantly. Born in Newcastle, Miramichi, N.B. to Sheila Paul of Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church First Nation) she became our much loved adopted child and a member of our family on January 5, 1981 when she was just three weeks old.
Kathleen grew up in Bathurst where she excelled as a pianist winning many scholarships in the Bathurst Music Festival under the direction of Mrs. Helen Hachey & Ludmila Kneskova-Hussey. She attended Masters Classes in St Andrew’s, NB., and at the age of 17 played with the New Brunswick Symphony. She was also a talented artist and in spite of health challenges, a devoted member of the Bathurst Figure Skating Club and their Precision Team under coach, Stephanie Watters. We would travel from Bathurst to the Beaverbrook Arena in the summers for summer skating school. Kathleen received a bilingual education at schools in Bathurst and graduated from Marion Graham Collegiate in Saskatoon, SK in 1999. She attended University of New Brunswick for one year and Cariboo College in Kamloops, BC for another. At the time of her death, she was a part time student at New Brunswick Community College, Miramichi campus. She was also a talented artist and occasional poet.
Kathleen leaves to mourn her parents, Bruce and Ann Rendell, her sister Susan Rendell Cullen (Philip Cullen) of Cork, Ireland, her grandmother, Muriel Rendell, aunt Robin Rendell and her son, Toby Roberts of Corner Brook, NL., her uncle John Spier (JoAnn) of Sacramento, Cal. and their sons John, Joseph and Andrew Spier, and uncle David Fitzpatrick (Elizabeth) of Parksville, BC and Yuma, AZ. She also leaves to mourn her birth mother, Sheila Paul, her brothers Eric and Garrick Dedam, her sisters, Linda Obba, Lorissa, Kristen, Jaclyn, and Caitlin Ginnish, as well as many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews in Esgenoopetit. She also leaves her special friend, Clayton Mahoney and his mother, Helen Mahoney-Stewart, who showered her with kindness. Kathleen had a special affinity with animals who trusted her instinctively so, last but not least, she leaves her dogs, Kizzy and Chase who loved her unconditionally and never failed to greet her enthusiastically.
Friends may visit the family at Maher’s Funeral Home, University Avenue, Miramichi, NB. 7-9 PM on Thursday, November 28th. The funeral service will be held at St. Michael’s Basilica on University Avenue at 11 AM on Friday, November 29th with Fr. John Fraser officiating, burial following at St. Michael’s cemetery.
Kathleen waged a valiant battle with her demons, sometimes winning, sometimes losing but she always got up and tried again. May the eternal light shine upon her and may she rest in peace. Family flowers only please. Donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Miramichi, N.B. or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.