Obituary of Evelyn Alice O'Farrell
Evelyn Alice O’Farrell died peacefully on December 27, 2019 at the Kingston General Hospital, in her 97th year. Born in Kingston on January 3, 1923, to Francis and Alice (Bean) Cobham. She was predeceased by her six siblings, Francis, Edith, Leslie, Irene, Violet and William. Evelyn is survived by three children, Lawrence O’Farrell (Renée), Frances Haig (Ian) and William O’Farrell (Jennifer), as well as 7 grandchildren, Andrea, Brendan, Dean, Erin, Juliet, Lindsey and Robin, along with 7 great-grand-children, Alexander, Cassidy, Colin, Joseph, Nathan, Samuel and Spencer. She will be sadly missed by nieces Janet and Michele along with the partners, families and friends of all the above.
Evelyn grew up on Clarence Street in Kingston, graduating from Sydenham School and Kingston Collegiate Vocational Institute (the first in her family to complete high school), after which she worked at ALCAN where she met Patrick Joseph O’Farrell whom she married in 1943. Together, they moved, first to Deep River and later to Peterborough where Pat worked as a draughtsman on the CANDU nuclear reactor. Evelyn stayed at home with her children until Pat died in 1962. She then went to work for the Canadian General Electric Company, excelling as a microfilm technician. Utterly devoted to her family, Evelyn showed courage, resourcefulness and fortitude as a single mother, over the ensuing years.
Evelyn enjoyed reading (especially mystery novels) travelling, and, upon occasion, camping (notwithstanding a nocturnal visit from a bear). Upon her retirement, she returned to Kingston where she loved spending time with her two surviving sisters and other family members. Through the Kingston Seniors Association, she became active in line dancing. For ten years she performed in local nursing and retirement homes as a member of the Kingston High Steppers. Evelyn will be remembered for her warm and kind personality and her gentle sense of humour.
Interment will take place at Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough. A memorial service will be held at James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Boulevard on Saturday, January 25 at 11:30 am. A reception will follow in the James Reid Reception Centre.
The family wishes to thank the attentive staff at St. Lawrence Place and the compassionate medical team at KGH. We are grateful to Vivian Betta who spent so many genial afternoons with Evelyn, as well as Tracy, Nadia and other kind-hearted attendants. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Kingston Seniors Association.
