Kathleen Rowe Farrell

Kathleen R. Farrell, 77, of Shillington, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with interstitial lung disease in the care of Reading Hospital with her loving family beside her. She was the wife of Michael D. Farrell. Childhood sweethearts, they married in 1966.

She was born in Reading to the late Theodore and Caroline (Rowe) Walker. Kathy graduated from Reading High School in 1965 where she was a cheerleader and proudly served as a member of her reunion committee throughout the years.

She and Michael were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Reading where she volunteered her time as a bus driver and taught vacation bible school for many years. Kathy was very spiritual, and her famous advice was always, "Let go, and let God."

She was a hard worker who always had a positive attitude and outlook on life. She began her career as a hairdresser, but after a few years she transitioned to working for the Reading School District as a bus driver. She then worked at Nothing's New Consignment for a few years with her mother in law and many other members of her husband's family. She returned to the Reading School District and worked as a custodian for over 25 years at Southwest Middle School, 10th and Green Elementary School and Reading High School before retiring. After retirement, she again drove a school bus for a short time for the Berks County Intermediate Unit. She also worked for a few summers at the former Exel's Restaurant in Lewes, Delaware. In 2016 she began her "dream job" at Sweet Ride Ice Cream Shop. Kathy was an integral part of the family business, and her natural sweetness touched countless lives. She taught many young employees valuable life lessons and always wanted the customers to be happy.

Throughout her life, her family remained her highest priority as she enjoyed attending her children's and grandchildren's sporting and musical events. She also treasured time spent at the beach with her beloved husband, family and many dear friends she made in Delaware over the years. In her later years, she enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with her husband as well as extended winter vacations in Florida. Kathy enjoyed socializing and loved hosting Christmas Eve gatherings at her home for family and friends throughout her life.

Kathy's memory will be treasured by her husband, Michael; their sons, Matthew Farrell, husband of Ellen Johnston, of Wernersville, and Christopher Farrell, husband of Angelique, of Lower Heidelberg Township; grandchildren, Owen, Landon, Conlin, Megan, Christine, and Ryan; and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Walker, husband of Rosalyn, of Kenhorst as well as many surviving cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Theodore and Caroline, she was predeceased by her sisters, Carol Freese and Susan Schaeffer, and her brother, James Walker.

Contributions in Kathy's memory may be offered to the Reading Education Foundation, 800 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601, or online at https://readingedfoundation.org/.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Friends and family are welcome to visit from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.