KATHLEEN ANNE DUNCALF

1930 - 2012

Our dear Kathleen, 81, died Saturday April 7, 2012 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA, following many complications after back surgery. Her struggle is over, she is finally free of pain and the Lord is "holding her in the palm of His hand".

Kathleen was born August 1, 1930 in Fullerton, North Dakota, the daughter of T.J. and Lorraine (Farrell) McCann, was raised in Verona, ND and Renton, WA.

After graduating from Renton High School in 1948, Kathleen attended business school (comptometer training) and worked at Langendorf Bakery in Seattle.

On June 9, 1951 Kathleen married her beloved husband, John William "Jack" Duncalfat St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Renton.

She enjoyed dancing with her husband and visiting the Oregon Coast with him. Kathleen also loved the pink roses her husband grew for her in his rose garden. She was a resident of the Mount Vernon area since 1965.

Kathleen was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she enjoyed being a lector. When her seven children were young she volunteered at Immaculate Conception Regional School.

After losing her husband twenty five years ago, she taught grief classes. Kathleen was an avid reader, loved to travel mostly to Europe especially enjoying many historic holy sites. She also love touring Ireland, and was so proud of her own full Irish heritage.

Kathleen faithfully attended mass, led a small prayer group in her parish, was part of the 'Lifters' prayer group, and for many years was on the board of the Regional Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Kathleen is survived by her son, John Duncalf; six daughters, Kathie Sutton, Debbie (Tom) Mueller, Jackie (Ken) Schimke, Sherrie (Tom) Hilliard, Beckie Keefe and Julie(Jim) Moores; four brothers Jerry McCann, Tom McCann, Jack McCann and Mike McCann; three sisters Patty McBeth, Betty McCann and Sharon McCann; grandchildren, Camille Duncalf, Gabbie Duncalf, Libbie Allenbrand, Alexis Stratman, Justine Andrews, Kellen Schimke, Kristopher Schimke, Brendon Hilliard, Jessica Nevins, Matthew Keefe, John Keefe, Jenna Moores and Laura Moores; a large extended family and many dear friends. Her thirteen precious grandchildren and five beautiful great-grandchildren knew when they greeted her they would be hugged until they proclaimed, at her urging, that they were "Nana's boy" or "Nana's girl".

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son-in-law Charlie Sutton and brother Joseph McCann.

Kathleen's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 20, at 12:15 (with the Rosary immediately before at 11:40), Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 110 S 5th Street. A short graveside service will take place immediately after at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 1200 E Fir Street, followed by a reception lunch at Saint Joseph's Center, 215 N 15th Street, Mount Vernon.

Memorial donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception "New Church Building Fund", 215 N 15th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kern Funeral Home.