Kathleen M. (Mcfarlin) Frechette

HOLDEN – Kathleen M. Frechette a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, “Nana”, and friend passed away peacefully on Friday, December 10, 2021 at UMass Memorial – Lake Avenue after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was 63. Born in Wilmington, DE and raised in Springfield, MA, Kathleen was the daughter of Jean Lawless McFarlin and the late Thomas John McFarlin and lived the last 30 years in Holden.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her husband of 38 years, David C. Frechette; her five children, Daniel Frechette and his wife, Lorraine and their son, Thomas of Ft. Bragg, NC, Allison Murphy and her husband, Michael and their children, Jack and Eloise of Rowayton, CT, Kevin Frechette and his wife, Rachel and their daughter, Callie of Winchester, Benjamin Frechette and his wife Julia of Somerville, and John Frechette and his girlfriend, Chiara Banez of Arlington, VA; a brother, Robert McFarlin of Springfield; two sisters, Susan McFarlin of Westfield and Carol McFarlin Kalmbach of East Longmeadow.

Kathleen graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and later from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing and Worcester State University where she received a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. She practiced nursing in the Endoscopy department at UMass Memorial– Belmont St. campus for the last 10 years. Nursing came naturally to Kathleen, who is remembered for her empathy, compassion, and dedication to her patients.

Kathleen married the love of her life, David Frechette on April 9, 1983 at Holy Cross Church in Springfield, MA. Kathleen and David lived briefly in Florida and Auburn before settling in Holden where they raised five children. Kathleen never missed a school activity or a sporting event and was extremely proud of her children and their many accomplishments. She cherished times spent with her family at their home on the shore in Black Point, Connecticut and loved nothing more than her grandchildren.

Kathleen was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson. She embodied Christian values and throughout her life always put others first.

An avid runner, Kathleen ran over 25 marathons in her lifetime and was training for the New York City Marathon before taking ill in September. She will be remembered for her kindness, selflessness, boundless energy, sense of humor, devotion to family and friends, and loving nature. She will remain in our hearts and memories forever.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Kathleen’s family from 4 to 8 pm on Tuesday, December 14, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Wednesday, December 15, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Katie’s name to St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson 01522, or Make-a-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 133 Federal St., 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110.

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