AGNES GAFFNEY

Mother, Grandmother, Friend, Teacher, Wheel of Fortune Enthusiast

When Agnes Gaffney (then Agnes Kelly) came into the world in 1933 there were plenty of people to welcome her. She was the 10th and last born to TM and Margaret Kelly of Kinkora. The Kelly’s were a close bunch and Agnes stayed great friends with her six sisters and three brothers throughout their lives. She was the last surviving of her siblings.

Generations of school children knew Agnes as Mrs. Gaffney. Her first teaching job was in a one room school teaching eight grades at once. She didn’t like it at first, but her father convinced her to stick it out until Christmas. By then, she had the hang of it and never looked back. She retired from the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board at age 65 ending her career as a grade 3 teacher. With so many former students, it wasn’t uncommon to cross paths with them years later. Whenever she said “I used to teach him/her” there always seemed to be a bond of mutual affection and respect.



Agnes married Harold “Charlie” Gaffney. They had a farm in Logan Township and raised their five children there. Agnes was an active partner in whatever needed to be done on the farm from milking cows to operating farm machinery. When people asked her if she was taking a course during her summer off from teaching, she used to joke “yes -- a course in baling straw!” 

As a mom she clearly instilled life lessons while being a busy softball team manager, carpool driver, public speaking coach, dance dress tailor, hockey fan, homework supervisor and PTA member.

When Agnes eventually became a grandmother, it was "grand" indeed.  She passed on more love and lessons and was a great friend to her grandchildren.

Agnes volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels, the Cancer Society, the library board, and the tourist information booth. She donated her dollars to help children and families in developing countries and homeless urban youth.


Agnes was strong, wise, welcoming and reassuring. In her 88 years, she experienced many joys and celebrations, lots of laughter and much love. She also knew loss and disappointment. During difficult times, Agnes never lost her faith or her sense of humour. She always kept perspective and reflected that things could be worse.



As Agnes leaves this world many people will mourn her:  two daughters Joan Wagner (Steve), Janet Gaffney (Alan Lazarus) and two sons Tom Gaffney (Lesley Cross) and Jim Gaffney; son-in-law Pat Rouselle; daughter-in-law Jan Gaffney; three sisters-in-law Marion Kelly, Mary Ellen Kelly and Betty Gaffney; nine grandchildren; one great grandson; dozens of nieces, nephews and many good friends. In addition to her parents and siblings, Agnes was predeceased by her husband Charlie in 2010 and her daughter, Donna Rouselle in 2015. 

Friends will be received at the Lockhart Funeral Home, 109 Montreal St., Mitchell on Thursday, September 2 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Agnes' Funeral Mass may be viewed at LockhartFuneralHome.com on Saturday. Those wishing to attend the visitation must register online at LockhartFuneralHome.com or by phone at 519-348-8643. All attending must have a scheduled time and wear a mask. Please enter the funeral home at your exact time. Memorial donations to Covenant House or Stratford Perth Hospice Foundation would be appreciated and may be made at LockhartFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Agnes’ Mass of Christian Burial.