Kathryn Good’s life of service lives on beyond her death through the bequest she arranged. A bequest is an opportunity to provide an end-of-life gift as part of estate or will plans. It allows the giver to support an organization they believe in even after they are gone. Kathryn Good selected MWC to benefit in this way.
Kathryn Good (some knew her as Kathy) died in Stratford, Ontario, Canada on 1 October 2025 at 85 after a battle with cancer. She served as the MWC Director of Administrative Services for 17 years (1988-2005). At her funeral, she was described as “a true gift to MWC” – something that was true in both life and death.
Kathryn Good’s meaning-filled life began on a farm in Ontario, Canada, in 1940 as the first child in the family. She went on to live out nearly three decades of global service in the United States, India, Bangladesh and Canada.
Kathryn Good’s attention to detail and her precise and careful approach to her administrative work were essential to MWC’s progress over the years punctuated by Assemblies in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1990, Kolkata, India, in 1997, and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 2003.
It was her request to be close to family that caused the North America office to move from Carol Stream, Illinois, USA, to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Wherever Kathryn Good lived, she was characterized by her hospitality and her capacity to maintain connections with those she loved.
“For Eleanor and me, faithful friendship with Kathryn was always a source of comfort and hope,” said Larry Miller, general secretary emeritus (1990-2011).
Kathryn Good expertly balanced work and adventure. “She handled the hassles and quirks for travel and visa arrangements for delegates firmly and compassionately as well as competently,” said Peter Rempel who worked with her at MWC. She demonstrated “how to have a big tolerance for language and cultural misunderstanding,” said Elina Ciptadi, then young adult leader, now project coordinator.
Her family recalls that Kathryn Good was always curious and on the lookout for joy. She loved people, like her nieces, who said she wove them into her life’s tapestry of faith, adventure and love.
Kathryn Good’s tapestry of life also interwove with MWC.
“Kathryn’s committed and dedicated giving through retirement and beyond continues to bless the worldwide Anabaptist family of faith gathered in MWC. We are grateful,” says Bruce Campbell-Janz, chief development officer.