Hundreds of people gathered at an Ancaster church to mourn the loss of an Oakville woman who was found slain in her home last week.

Katherine Newman, 43, was found dead in her Treetop Terrace home in Oakville last Thursday. Police have revealed that the mother of three was stabbed to death.

Her funeral was held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, where friends and family were still trying to come to terms with Newman’s unexpected death.

“I mean, what is there worse to happen to any human being than to lose a child and especially in this fashion?” said Bill Morris, a lawyer who is a long-time friend of Newman’s father, Walter Stayshyn, a former Ontario Superior Court judge.

Francine Calver said she first met Newman when they were still in grade school.

“She had a great laugh and she was just very generous as well,” said Calver.

Newman’s death remains under investigation and Halton police say it may be linked to an incident involving her estranged husband, who died on the same day she was found dead.

Last Thursday, Kyle Newman was fatally shot by police in the parking lot of a local police station near the house where his wife lived.

His death is under investigation by the province’s Special Investigations Unit.

Kyle Newman was shot only minutes before police learned that his estranged wife had been killed.

A trust fund has been set up for the three surviving sons of Kyle Newman and Katherine Newman.

Donations can be made through the Newman Boys Trust Fund website, or they can be directed to account #0006 398 6401 at any Bank of Montreal branch.