Catherine Hanisch Collingwood, Ontario Obituary

Catherine Hanisch

Catherine Hanisch (McGowan) born Glasgow Scotland, July 25 1935 - July 20 2017 , Campbell House Hospice, Collingwood. Friends of old and new please join us to celebrate Cathy's life, Sunday Aug 20th , from 2-6 pm at the Duntroon Hall, Duntroon, Ontario. There will be a blessing earlier in the day at Sunset Point in Collingwood, time to be confirmed. As per her wishes, cremation has taken place. For those wishing to make a donation as an expression of sympathy please consider Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, My Friends House, Sick Children's Hospital or Covenant House, Toronto Although Cathy has passed on to her next adventure and will be greatly missed, she leaves with her family and friends a beautiful legacy of love and a great example of a life well lived. We are saddened and will miss her ways and great character but heartened to carry on in the spirit of her kind, fun loving, courageous and gentle nature. We admire and hold true to her strong family values, admirable work ethic, her joy of life and love of people. Cathy left us peacefully and aware, with her faith as strong as her love of life; she lived and passed on graciously. In her final days, as she was all her life, Cathy was surrounded by family and friends who were honoured to stand by her, to sing and bring joy, to return her commitment and love. She was eased into her final hours with love and song of family and friends and was held close as she passed on. Regardless of enduring some big challenges, Cathy felt blessed and grateful for a life she made wonderful, never becoming sorry for herself or bitter. Each adversity she met responsibly. She always looked for and found the good, made the most of opportunity and remained positive. She was not foolishly optimistic or in denial – it was her Courage to take heart and Strength of character that let her stay true to her good nature. The latest challenge that would present itself and cut into her dance with life was Alzheimer’s, diagnosed 12 years ago (beginning much earlier) Even though our mum so positively dealt with it, she was not spared the ravages of the disease. Each advancing stage took difficult acceptance and adjusting but she adapted and her good spirit always emerged prominent. As she did in all of her days, she faced her situation graciously and with dignity; Cathy lived out her life not letting Alzheimer's steel her good nature or define her. A true triumph of spirit. John Craig (aka Johnny, JC) was a lucky grandchild being born on time to appreciate Caths company and love. What a blessing they were to each other for 20 years. Kindred spirits from the get go, they got up to adventures, laughed, cried but mostly laughed, sang and danced through life. Cath was a great influence in JC's life, and he was her buddy, an understanding, patient champion to his gran as her disease progressed. JC was without a doubt Cath's favorite company as he could get her laughing at her most challenging times. Just the mention of his name evoked a smile even when under oxygen and mostly unconscious. She related to his good nature, they simply had a beautiful understanding and friendship. JC was with her till her last days, when he traveled to the city she longed to return and family had plans to meet him one day, Vancouver. She would insist he go and most likely her spirit joined him as soon as she could. Craig, Cathy’s son enjoyed a similar kinship for 48 years , they had a great understanding and rapport with Cath's nature inherent in him. Always her hero, her young Lochinvar and our family’s rock, he watched over and held his mum till her final hours. Craig and mum enjoyed similar intellect, debating politics, the universe and rounds and rounds of Trivial Pursuit. My mum was delighted for Craig's family with Caitlin (Sumner) whom she also enjoyed good friendship and fun. She was pleased Craig found someone that could challenge him at chess and keep up with his outdoors adventures. Their son, Logan brought her much joy and laughs and she looked at him with love and pride admiring her grandson with his great mind and eager to please spirit. And little Catherine, her namesake which she was so flattered, was simply the best thought that Cathy repeatedly took delight (a benefit of forgetting each time before). For the year and a half they each existed together on earth Cathy was awe struck that she had such a happy, beautiful, strong willed, energetic little granddaughter. Carla and Cath were great friends and helped each other through life. Always Carla's sidekick, they traveled many road together, and as mum simply but perfectly summed up “we've learned a lot from these roads”. She will be greatly missed but honoured with a life made awesome. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' (Maya Angelou) By Cathy, we felt safe, appreciated, special, loved, capable, inspired and happy. Cathy will be missed by her lifelong and loved friend Maureen Crump ( nee Bean) and family. As well, Wilma, Rita, Patricia and their families. We know Cathy will be in her dear and true friends, Mary Thompson's thoughts and prayers. Certainly, she'll be remembered fondly by family-like friends, Suzanne Wesetvic and Jim Campbell and their children Sadie and Esme who brought laughter, song and dance, great stories, love and chocolates over the many years of their friendship. Her sense of humour and charm will be missed by neighbourhood kid turned family friend Rachel Kelly (Tatham), country neighbours and friends, the Needles with whom many a laugh shared. Her pal, Julie Martin, 3rd generation family friend will surely miss stopping in and having a "sing song". Julies grandmother, Stella and Caths mother Susan, were close friends in Scotland. There are many other acquaintances made throughout the years that will surely miss her. Predeceased by her father, Danny McGowan and her mother Susan McGowan (Sheridan), brother Michael McGowan and his daughter Diane Ferguson, sister Jean and Jean's husband Bill Goodbody (England), sister May and her husband Arthur Fullerton and their son, Mark, all of Glasgow except Bill from England. Cathy is survived by her son Craig Hanisch and his children Logan and Catherine with his life partner Caitlin Sumner (Creemore) By her daughter, Carla Hanisch and her grandson John Craig Sifton (Collingwood) She is also survived by over 40 family members in Scotland and England with whom she was close to. Until recently, she recalled all of her nieces and nephews with great affection, even when she became confused as to how she knew them. The grief from the passing of her nephew, Mark ( Mays son), and her niece, Diane (Michaels daughter) eased over time, but stayed with her. Thank you to Campbell House for the excellent care, especially nurse, Lisa. The tranquil surrounding in which Cathy could relax in her last day was visibly beneficial. Prior to and for 4 days before at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital she was well attended by her doctor whom she admired and appreciated for many years, Leslie Hutchings. Thanks to and Dr. Ghandi standing in, as well, the great nursing staff who quickly took charge to make Cathy’s time there as comfortable as possible. During an earlier hospital admittance in June, the nurses noted Cathy making and remaking her bed. Always wanting to be productive she was pleased and satisfied to be given a job to fold linens and right at home sipping tea, being social and chatty at the nurses station while doing so. Above and beyond the medical needs, thank you. Special thanks to Joanne Walker, CCAC. As well, Joanna Kowal, an excellent personal service worker who made a big difference to our lives. HER GREAT STORY Cath was born into a happy family, the last of 4 children to Danny McGowan and Susan (Sheridan) both of Glasgow, Scotland. The second world war was beginning when her father contracted chemical pneumonia from his work at the shipyards and died suddenly leaving Cath just 4 years old, her siblings Michael, May, Jean and her widowed mother to manage through the rough years ahead. She held onto and cherished the memory of her dad but felt lucky to be raised by her brother and sisters, especially Jean, while her mother worked to support their family. As each reached 15 they worked and contributed to their home, allowing time to enjoy the company of Susan, their mother ¬ Cathy being much younger benefited in her youth. She grew up similar to most others her age in Glasgow, with no TV, phone or car but with song and dance and rich social, academic and sporting life that stood by Cathy all her life. Formal education ended for most at 15 and Cath worked as a stenographer and secretary with the Rolls Royce in Glasgow until she set sail, making real her dream of travel and adventure. Cath intended to go to New Zealand but transport then was mainly by slow ship as was mail and Cathy's mother signed her passport ( she was not yet 18) on condition she venture to closer Canada where her uncles Bob and Billy Sheridan immigrated to Vancouver. Cath made her way across Canada by train (in the then new dome car) and hitchhiked with other youth hostellers throughout North America after her ship landed in Halifax April 1952. She returned to Scotland after a year but her country of choice was calling and she immigrated to Canada 2 years later. Cathy often commented on how amazingly new and wild Canada was, only just 100 years old as a country. Cath worked for The board of directors for Vancouver City School Board in British Columbia for 2 years before moving to Toronto, Ontario where she worked as secretary to executive of Canadian Foods and then for many years the secretary to the Superintendent, Victoria College, University of Toronto until she took maternity leave. Cathy met Siegfried (Seig, Ziggy) Hanisch ballroom dancing which they both excelled. After his relentless, months long pursuit of the unassuming yet striking, tall, red haired, blue eyed beauty she fell for his witty, daring, adventurous ways and his legs; she always remarked how she liked his legs and teeth. They married, March 1962, laughed, loved, had fun for years traveling, entertaining and living the lives of carefree young professionals in the city. They frequently camped and ventured on weekends sometimes ending up in Collingwood where they eventually bought a property. Cathy, an entrepreneur at heart, worked at nights after her office job, in her apartment making unique candles in very popular shapes from molds of totem poles, the Buddha, Christmas trees and other popular figures; with the new trend toward candles and her sales approach mum found herself in business with Eatons and other large dept stores in Toronto. Cathy realized her greatest dream when she gave birth to healthy twins, Craig and Carla on Feb 22 1969. Unfortunately, Sieg did not adapt well to parenthood never reconciling with his traumatic childhood during the war and thus began Cathy's very serious challenge in life; domestic abuse. Cath, in all her good nature and strength handled her stuck situation admirably, and there was still much to love in her husband and hope for. In 1974 they moved from Toronto and built their home and life in the small community of Collingwood, so excited to offer their children all the benefits of growing up in the healthy environment. Caths primary role as mother never stopped her working or contributing to community. Being influenced by her family and the health movement of the 60'70's, a part time job at Wheat and Honey Naturally Health Food Store was right up her ally. Later she worked in the cafeteria of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. She volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, Meals On Wheels and as Co-ordinator of grade school public speaking contests for The Rotary Club, Collingwood. She was supportive of school events and enjoyed the teachers and families of her community and helping out where her children attended school, Saint Mary’s. Cathy was part of a group from community churches sponsoring Vietnamese refugees, she quickly grew to love the families she helped to settle in the community. She grew plants easily and shared or sold the abundance. Making most of her options for a little extra income she made use of unusable seat belts from a local factory, unraveling their weave and re-spinning them into plant hangers, fashionable crochet clothing belts and the like. She and Seig made many great friends and for the most part enjoyed life but Seigs drinking and abuse became more frequent and Cath, with her children of an age to leave too, hit the high road out. With that past as experience she trained to counsel youth as well other women and families in like situations working at Barrie Crisis Center for years. She was pleased to see laws evolve to support families in crisis and especially proud to look back at her role in making accessible an emergency crisis shelter in Collingwood. Although not committed to boards, she worked with town council and was instrumental in establishing what is known and respected, "My Friends House". Needing a change and in her 50's Cathy returned to secretarial work after upgrading her skills at Georgian College, Barrie in computer programming. She moved to Toronto to be closer to her expecting daughter, Carla and she traveled back and forth to her much loved family in Scotland. When Carla moved back to the Collingwood area with her son, Cathy joined to be part of her wee grandson, John Craig Sifton's upbringing. This was a true gift to the family as Carla was establishing Duntroon Farm with her brother Craig and Cath became a turkey, duck, cattle and goat farmer in the process! Always a green thumb, the gardens and greenhouse thrived under her care. She loved to cook with garlic and encouraged it to be grown - the idea that it multiplied 4-6 times sold her, siting the efficient Scott in her as the influence to the lucrative crop. An invaluable contribution was her role in the kitchen of the prepared foods business from the farm (Farmer and Chef) having been a good cook but did every supportive job necessary to make the cooking and sales happen. She was a great recipe contributor-tester and all the dog eared pages in the cookbooks that were once frustrating are so appreciated now. With her love of people and gift of gab, she became the face and social side of the business, customers always wanted to see her. It wasn't unusual to be stopped in the streets, even a few times in Toronto to chat with "Gran" from Duntroon Farm. Cathys preference for music was her talented grandson, Johnny (John Craig) playing the classics, crooning away to her or even his punk rock. She loved the Opera which she attended from a young age but could also be found belting out (while dancing) the likes of Abba or naively, David Wilcox's Riverboat Fantasy, Cath was always active in work so kept in good shape until retiring a few years ago., In these final years, she proudly walked to support the Stephen Lewis (whom she admired) Foundation, Grandmothers to Grandmother's campaign. She frequented the YMCA in Collingwood mostly drawn to and oogling children with innocent fascination but also attending Chair Yoga and Chair on the Move classes. She embraced the challenge to mentally follow. Cathy was an intelligent, uncomplicated woman who simply and clearly identified the good nature of people and spent little energy on those lacking one. She inspired people to be their best. She was a smart adventurer always up for an experience to learn and always ready to help or make light and fun in respect of whatever situation she was in She was a good and fair sport and enjoyed healthy competition in badminton, her own small business ventures or her kids lives. She had vision and an entrepreneurial spirit even though most of her work life was gainfully employed in executive secretary posts. She was proud of her achievements and enjoyed witnessing the success of others. She was very proud to still have her own teeth :)
July 25, 1935 - July 20, 201707/25/193507/20/2017
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Obituary

Catherine Hanisch (McGowan) born Glasgow Scotland, July 25 1935 - July 20 2017 , Campbell House Hospice, Collingwood. Friends of old and new please join us to celebrate Cathy's life, Sunday Aug 20th , from 2-6 pm at the Duntroon Hall, Duntroon, Ontario. There will be a blessing earlier in the day at Sunset Point in Collingwood, time to be confirmed. As per her wishes, cremation has taken place. For those wishing to make a donation as an expression of sympathy please consider Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, My Friends House, Sick Children's Hospital or Covenant House, Toronto Although Cathy has passed on to her next adventure and will be greatly missed, she leaves with her family and friends a beautiful legacy of love and a great example of a life well lived. We are saddened and will miss her ways and great character but heartened to carry on in the spirit of her kind, fun loving, courageous and gentle nature. We admire and hold true to her strong family values, admirable work ethic, her joy of life and love of people. Cathy left us peacefully and aware, with her faith as strong as her love of life; she lived and passed on graciously. In her final days, as she was all her life, Cathy was surrounded by family and friends who were honoured to stand by her, to sing and bring joy, to return her commitment and love. She was eased into her final hours with love and song of family and friends and was held close as she passed on. Regardless of enduring some big challenges, Cathy felt blessed and grateful for a life she made wonderful, never becoming sorry for herself or bitter. Each adversity she met responsibly. She always looked for and found the good, made the most of opportunity and remained positive. She was not foolishly optimistic or in denial – it was her Courage to take heart and Strength of character that let her stay true to her good nature. The latest challenge that would present itself and cut into her dance with life was Alzheimer’s, diagnosed 12 years ago (beginning much earlier) Even though our mum so positively dealt with it, she was not spared the ravages of the disease. Each advancing stage took difficult acceptance and adjusting but she adapted and her good spirit always emerged prominent. As she did in all of her days, she faced her situation graciously and with dignity; Cathy lived out her life not letting Alzheimer's steel her good nature or define her. A true triumph of spirit. John Craig (aka Johnny, JC) was a lucky grandchild being born on time to appreciate Caths company and love. What a blessing they were to each other for 20 years. Kindred spirits from the get go, they got up to adventures, laughed, cried but mostly laughed, sang and danced through life. Cath was a great influence in JC's life, and he was her buddy, an understanding, patient champion to his gran as her disease progressed. JC was without a doubt Cath's favorite company as he could get her laughing at her most challenging times. Just the mention of his name evoked a smile even when under oxygen and mostly unconscious. She related to his good nature, they simply had a beautiful understanding and friendship. JC was with her till her last days, when he traveled to the city she longed to return and family had plans to meet him one day, Vancouver. She would insist he go and most likely her spirit joined him as soon as she could. Craig, Cathy’s son enjoyed a similar kinship for 48 years , they had a great understanding and rapport with Cath's nature inherent in him. Always her hero, her young Lochinvar and our family’s rock, he watched over and held his mum till her final hours. Craig and mum enjoyed similar intellect, debating politics, the universe and rounds and rounds of Trivial Pursuit. My mum was delighted for Craig's family with Caitlin (Sumner) whom she also enjoyed good friendship and fun. She was pleased Craig found someone that could challenge him at chess and keep up with his outdoors adventures. Their son, Logan brought her much joy and laughs and she looked at him with love and pride admiring her grandson with his great mind and eager to please spirit. And little Catherine, her namesake which she was so flattered, was simply the best thought that Cathy repeatedly took delight (a benefit of forgetting each time before). For the year and a half they each existed together on earth Cathy was awe struck that she had such a happy, beautiful, strong willed, energetic little granddaughter. Carla and Cath were great friends and helped each other through life. Always Carla's sidekick, they traveled many road together, and as mum simply but perfectly summed up “we've learned a lot from these roads”. She will be greatly missed but honoured with a life made awesome. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' (Maya Angelou) By Cathy, we felt safe, appreciated, special, loved, capable, inspired and happy. Cathy will be missed by her lifelong and loved friend Maureen Crump ( nee Bean) and family. As well, Wilma, Rita, Patricia and their families. We know Cathy will be in her dear and true friends, Mary Thompson's thoughts and prayers. Certainly, she'll be remembered fondly by family-like friends, Suzanne Wesetvic and Jim Campbell and their children Sadie and Esme who brought laughter, song and dance, great stories, love and chocolates over the many years of their friendship. Her sense of humour and charm will be missed by neighbourhood kid turned family friend Rachel Kelly (Tatham), country neighbours and friends, the Needles with whom many a laugh shared. Her pal, Julie Martin, 3rd generation family friend will surely miss stopping in and having a "sing song". Julies grandmother, Stella and Caths mother Susan, were close friends in Scotland. There are many other acquaintances made throughout the years that will surely miss her. Predeceased by her father, Danny McGowan and her mother Susan McGowan (Sheridan), brother Michael McGowan and his daughter Diane Ferguson, sister Jean and Jean's husband Bill Goodbody (England), sister May and her husband Arthur Fullerton and their son, Mark, all of Glasgow except Bill from England. Cathy is survived by her son Craig Hanisch and his children Logan and Catherine with his life partner Caitlin Sumner (Creemore) By her daughter, Carla Hanisch and her grandson John Craig Sifton (Collingwood) She is also survived by over 40 family members in Scotland and England with whom she was close to. Until recently, she recalled all of her nieces and nephews with great affection, even when she became confused as to how she knew them. The grief from the passing of her nephew, Mark ( Mays son), and her niece, Diane (Michaels daughter) eased over time, but stayed with her. Thank you to Campbell House for the excellent care, especially nurse, Lisa. The tranquil surrounding in which Cathy could relax in her last day was visibly beneficial. Prior to and for 4 days before at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital she was well attended by her doctor whom she admired and appreciated for many years, Leslie Hutchings. Thanks to and Dr. Ghandi standing in, as well, the great nursing staff who quickly took charge to make Cathy’s time there as comfortable as possible. During an earlier hospital admittance in June, the nurses noted Cathy making and remaking her bed. Always wanting to be productive she was pleased and satisfied to be given a job to fold linens and right at home sipping tea, being social and chatty at the nurses station while doing so. Above and beyond the medical needs, thank you. Special thanks to Joanne Walker, CCAC. As well, Joanna Kowal, an excellent personal service worker who made a big difference to our lives. HER GREAT STORY Cath was born into a happy family, the last of 4 children to Danny McGowan and Susan (Sheridan) both of Glasgow, Scotland. The second world war was beginning when her father contracted chemical pneumonia from his work at the shipyards and died suddenly leaving Cath just 4 years old, her siblings Michael, May, Jean and her widowed mother to manage through the rough years ahead. She held onto and cherished the memory of her dad but felt lucky to be raised by her brother and sisters, especially Jean, while her mother worked to support their family. As each reached 15 they worked and contributed to their home, allowing time to enjoy the company of Susan, their mother ¬ Cathy being much younger benefited in her youth. She grew up similar to most others her age in Glasgow, with no TV, phone or car but with song and dance and rich social, academic and sporting life that stood by Cathy all her life. Formal education ended for most at 15 and Cath worked as a stenographer and secretary with the Rolls Royce in Glasgow until she set sail, making real her dream of travel and adventure. Cath intended to go to New Zealand but transport then was mainly by slow ship as was mail and Cathy's mother signed her passport ( she was not yet 18) on condition she venture to closer Canada where her uncles Bob and Billy Sheridan immigrated to Vancouver. Cath made her way across Canada by train (in the then new dome car) and hitchhiked with other youth hostellers throughout North America after her ship landed in Halifax April 1952. She returned to Scotland after a year but her country of choice was calling and she immigrated to Canada 2 years later. Cathy often commented on how amazingly new and wild Canada was, only just 100 years old as a country. Cath worked for The board of directors for Vancouver City School Board in British Columbia for 2 years before moving to Toronto, Ontario where she worked as secretary to executive of Canadian Foods and then for many years the secretary to the Superintendent, Victoria College, University of Toronto until she took maternity leave. Cathy met Siegfried (Seig, Ziggy) Hanisch ballroom dancing which they both excelled. After his relentless, months long pursuit of the unassuming yet striking, tall, red haired, blue eyed beauty she fell for his witty, daring, adventurous ways and his legs; she always remarked how she liked his legs and teeth. They married, March 1962, laughed, loved, had fun for years traveling, entertaining and living the lives of carefree young professionals in the city. They frequently camped and ventured on weekends sometimes ending up in Collingwood where they eventually bought a property. Cathy, an entrepreneur at heart, worked at nights after her office job, in her apartment making unique candles in very popular shapes from molds of totem poles, the Buddha, Christmas trees and other popular figures; with the new trend toward candles and her sales approach mum found herself in business with Eatons and other large dept stores in Toronto. Cathy realized her greatest dream when she gave birth to healthy twins, Craig and Carla on Feb 22 1969. Unfortunately, Sieg did not adapt well to parenthood never reconciling with his traumatic childhood during the war and thus began Cathy's very serious challenge in life; domestic abuse. Cath, in all her good nature and strength handled her stuck situation admirably, and there was still much to love in her husband and hope for. In 1974 they moved from Toronto and built their home and life in the small community of Collingwood, so excited to offer their children all the benefits of growing up in the healthy environment. Caths primary role as mother never stopped her working or contributing to community. Being influenced by her family and the health movement of the 60'70's, a part time job at Wheat and Honey Naturally Health Food Store was right up her ally. Later she worked in the cafeteria of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. She volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, Meals On Wheels and as Co-ordinator of grade school public speaking contests for The Rotary Club, Collingwood. She was supportive of school events and enjoyed the teachers and families of her community and helping out where her children attended school, Saint Mary’s. Cathy was part of a group from community churches sponsoring Vietnamese refugees, she quickly grew to love the families she helped to settle in the community. She grew plants easily and shared or sold the abundance. Making most of her options for a little extra income she made use of unusable seat belts from a local factory, unraveling their weave and re-spinning them into plant hangers, fashionable crochet clothing belts and the like. She and Seig made many great friends and for the most part enjoyed life but Seigs drinking and abuse became more frequent and Cath, with her children of an age to leave too, hit the high road out. With that past as experience she trained to counsel youth as well other women and families in like situations working at Barrie Crisis Center for years. She was pleased to see laws evolve to support families in crisis and especially proud to look back at her role in making accessible an emergency crisis shelter in Collingwood. Although not committed to boards, she worked with town council and was instrumental in establishing what is known and respected, "My Friends House". Needing a change and in her 50's Cathy returned to secretarial work after upgrading her skills at Georgian College, Barrie in computer programming. She moved to Toronto to be closer to her expecting daughter, Carla and she traveled back and forth to her much loved family in Scotland. When Carla moved back to the Collingwood area with her son, Cathy joined to be part of her wee grandson, John Craig Sifton's upbringing. This was a true gift to the family as Carla was establishing Duntroon Farm with her brother Craig and Cath became a turkey, duck, cattle and goat farmer in the process! Always a green thumb, the gardens and greenhouse thrived under her care. She loved to cook with garlic and encouraged it to be grown - the idea that it multiplied 4-6 times sold her, siting the efficient Scott in her as the influence to the lucrative crop. An invaluable contribution was her role in the kitchen of the prepared foods business from the farm (Farmer and Chef) having been a good cook but did every supportive job necessary to make the cooking and sales happen. She was a great recipe contributor-tester and all the dog eared pages in the cookbooks that were once frustrating are so appreciated now. With her love of people and gift of gab, she became the face and social side of the business, customers always wanted to see her. It wasn't unusual to be stopped in the streets, even a few times in Toronto to chat with "Gran" from Duntroon Farm. Cathys preference for music was her talented grandson, Johnny (John Craig) playing the classics, crooning away to her or even his punk rock. She loved the Opera which she attended from a young age but could also be found belting out (while dancing) the likes of Abba or naively, David Wilcox's Riverboat Fantasy, Cath was always active in work so kept in good shape until retiring a few years ago., In these final years, she proudly walked to support the Stephen Lewis (whom she admired) Foundation, Grandmothers to Grandmother's campaign. She frequented the YMCA in Collingwood mostly drawn to and oogling children with innocent fascination but also attending Chair Yoga and Chair on the Move classes. She embraced the challenge to mentally follow. Cathy was an intelligent, uncomplicated woman who simply and clearly identified the good nature of people and spent little energy on those lacking one. She inspired people to be their best. She was a smart adventurer always up for an experience to learn and always ready to help or make light and fun in respect of whatever situation she was in She was a good and fair sport and enjoyed healthy competition in badminton, her own small business ventures or her kids lives. She had vision and an entrepreneurial spirit even though most of her work life was gainfully employed in executive secretary posts. She was proud of her achievements and enjoyed witnessing the success of others. She was very proud to still have her own teeth :)

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