In Loving Memory of

Kathryn Winifred McFerran

(Maiden: Sibbald)
of Edmonton, Alberta
Oct 31, 2018

Kathryn Winifred Sibbald was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1928 to James Henry Sibbald and Rita Mabel Van Blaricom, the youngest of four children William, Doreen and Muriel. The family actually resided in Winnipeg but Kay was born on a holiday visit to the Sibbald family farm.

She attended Gordon Bell School and then went on to business school. As a young woman she worked at Eatons downtown until her marriage to Gerald Lovell McFerran on December 27, 1950.

The young couple resided in Burlington Ontario, where they started a family, three little girls, Maureen (1953), Denise (1955), and Judy (1959).

In 1960 they were transferred home to Winnipeg where a fourth daughter Brenda (1961) was born. Kay enjoyed being close to her mother in those days and being nearer to the Family Farm that her brother Bill and wife Helen were farming. In 1964 the family was transferred again, to Calgary, Alberta where they made many lifelong friendships. Her days in Calgary were filled with cooking and sewing (designing) for her girls, and meeting with the Newcomers. She enjoyed entertaining business associates and friends often at short notice.

In Centennial year 1967 they ventured east to Fredericton, New Brunswick to a new home and job. Kay, Gerry and the two oldest girls attended Expo 67 in Montreal. They resided in Fredericton raising their girls for the next ten years again making many enduring friendships.

In 1977 Gerry came home and asked Kay "How would you like to move back to Calgary?" Once again they were on the road west.

Kay was quite an artist for many years, producing a number of paintings that family members now enjoy.

Gerry retired in 1983 and Calgary remained their home. They bought a new motorhome and travelled many places in Canada and the USA. They wintered in Mesa and Apache Junction, Arizona for several years. As the grandchildren arrived they were often included in their travels.

Gerry passed away in 2006 leaving Kay by herself after 55 years of marriage.

Kay kept herself busy playing bridge, lunching with friends and making many trips to visit with family.

In the summer of 2017 she moved to Rosedale Estates assisted living in Edmonton where she continued to make new friends, play bridge/whist and attend many performances. She became the official greeter of new residents at her building at Rosedale.

Kay left this world after a couple of weeks illness to join her special fella on October 31st 2018, ironically on Halloween, her family thought.

She was predeceased by her husband Gerry, her son-in-law Dennis Belisle, grandson Matthew McFerran, siblings William Sibbald and Doreen Cook and her parents. Kay is survived by her sister Muriel Sprenger of Ottawa, Ontario, and daughters, Maureen (Peter Steeves) of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Denise Belisle of Antler, Saskatchewan, Judy (Leland Stelck) of Edmonton and Brenda (Rick Kopnitsky) of Calgary. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Kay was feisty, sharp, stubborn and independent to the end of her almost 91 years and will be missed by many who knew and loved her.