Obituary of Kathy Garton

Passed peacefully with her loving family at her side on December 30, 2023 in Ottawa at the age of 67. Predeceased by her parents Ernest and Mary Willoughby (nee Alexander), her dearest Aunt Lottie Hainey who was like a second mother to her, her brother Walter Willoughby (survived by Sharon), sister Nancy Purcell (nee Willoughby) and her husband Richard. Kathy leaves behind her beloved husband Warren Garton; her loving children Byron (Dani), and Amelia (Kyle); and adoring grandchildren Harrison, Tiberius, and Felicity. She will be deeply missed by her siblings Stan and Nancy Willoughby (nee Burchill), Tim Willoughby, Earl and Rose Willoughby (nee Anderson), David Willoughby and Pauline Levesque, and Joe Willoughby. She will be lovingly remembered by her life-long friends Kim Hamma (nee Bilton), and Nancy McFadyen (nee Sheridan) who were the sisters of her soul, the friends who became family.

Kathy enjoyed a lifelong career of caring for people. She graduated from the Nursing program at St. Lawrence College, Brockville, as a Registered Nurse (Jan 1979). She fought hard to find a position close to home, finally being accepted for a position as a RN at the Rideau Regional Centre where she worked until the fall of 2008. Not satisfied to retire at that time, Kathy shifted her focus and began a 15 year career of caring for the elderly at Rosebridge Manor where she remained until retiring in July 2023. She loved every single client in her own way. Kathy had a strong faith and lived in confidence of God’s love. “By his wounds you are healed” ISA 53:5. During all those years of hard work and compassion for others, she was also a full time mom and followed Warren wherever the world took him. Kathy spent her free time in her flower beds, reading, stitching, and spending time with her animals and family. She found wonder and beauty in the simple things. Some of her most cherished moments were her shopping trips with the boys, her little assistants Harrison and Tiberius. Her grandchildren brought her joy every single day. Reading to her Felicity, whether it be “I Love You Forever” to “Quick Cooking” to the weekly flyers, was a duty Kathy took pride in and never tired of. She loved her family with her entire being, and was the most wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She found extraordinary in the ordinary, and made ordinary extraordinary. She will be missed more than words can convey.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home (112 Beckwith St N, Smiths Falls) on Tuesday January 9, 2024 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday January 10, 2024 at the First Baptist Church, Smiths Falls (73 Beckwith St N, Smiths Falls) beginning at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at the Blair & Son Reception Centre. Interment will take place at Wolford Cemetery at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Smiths Falls Food Bank.

For those unable to attend in person the funeral service will be hosted on Zoom through the Smiths Falls First Baptist Church. 

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