The obituary was eventually removed from the newspaper’s website after widespread backlash, but by that time, it had already gone viral. A family member, Dwight, confirmed the obituary’s contents and explained that Kathleen had made “a significant mistake six decades ago” but had shown remorse. He criticized the obituary’s author for publicly airing family issues, arguing that it would “inflict considerable suffering on numerous people.”
Despite the controversy, the newspaper defended its decision to publish the obituary, stating there was “no legal prohibition” against its content. The CEO mentioned that their newspaper partners “uphold high content standards” and took the complaints seriously, promising a thorough review of the obituary.
This incident highlights how obituaries, traditionally intended as respectful tributes, can sometimes become platforms for unresolved family conflicts and candid revelations, with the potential to cause significant public and private repercussions.