Mrs. Catherine Bailey

BAILEY, Catherine – Peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, October 10, 2008 in her 73rd year. Beloved wife of the late Orace. Loving mother of Cathy. Daughter of Marvin and Ina Falls. Dear sister of the late Dorothy James (late Bill), late Stanley Falls (Marlene), late Harold Falls (Emily), late Thelma Gareau (late George), Lorne Falls (Kay), late Harry Falls (late Joan), Helen VanEvery (late Jim), late Mansel Falls, Elaine Lavoie (late Ernest) and Carl Falls (Patricia). Daughter-in-law of the late George and the late Gertrude Bailey. Sister-in-law of the late Audrey McKay (Danny), late Arden Bailey (Lureen) and Ronald Bailey (Sarah). Special aunt and great aunt to many. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 6 – 9 p.m. Funeral service from the chapel on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 11 a.m. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the SAH Cancer Care Fund would be appreciated by the family. www.MeM.com

Words by Mrs. Helen Smith spoken at Catherine's funeral

Willowgrove United Church

Catherine Falls, known better to most of you was born October 12, 1935, the fifth of eleven children of Marvin and Ina Falls. She had six brothers Stanley, Harold, Lorne, Harry, Mansel and Carl and four sisters Dorothy, Thelma, Helen, and Elaine. It was almost as if there were two families and Kay as one of the older children helped a great deal with the younger siblings becoming a second mother, a role she continued when their own mother passed away.

When Kay was just an infant the family moved to Cockburn Island where she spent the first ten years of her life. The next years would be spent on Manitoulin Island. The family moved to the Manitoulin just before school was to start. Kay got diphtheria and the entire family was quarantined for the next six months. None of them attended school that year.

Growing up Kay was a bit of a tom boy and she and Lorne were often together. Kay had to move to the Sault to complete high school. She attended Soo Tech and met another friend Kay who was to be not only a friend and later share an apartment but eventually to be her sister-in-law. After she graduated Kay went to work at the Royal Bank at the corner of Bruce and Queen St.

Kay had know Orace Bailey from growing up, he too had moved to the Sault to work at Algoma Steel. Their friendship blossomed and grew and they married in 1954. Shortly after their marriage the Steel Plant went on strike and Kay and Orace moved back home to the Manitoulin where Orace was the light house keeper. Eventually they moved back to the Sault and Orace returned to work at Algoma Steel. For a short while they lived on John Street but in the late 1950’s they built their home on Tilley Road where Kay would live until the very end. It was a warm and welcoming place for all their friends and family. You always knew their door was open for you.

In 1962 they were blessed with the arrival of Cathy. Cathy and her mom were more than just mother and daughter in these last years they have been friends doing everything together. Kay and Cathy enjoyed going to the casino, going out to eat, attending plays especially if Aubrey or Carl were in them. Kay didn’t really enjoy shopping but she liked to be with Cathy so they often went shopping together too.

Over the years Kay had worked at A&P mostly at Queen Street and later Pine Plaza. She also worked at the Dominion Store in Churchill Plaza. About twenty years ago Kay retired. Her hobbies in both in retirement and prior to that had included knitting, and crossword puzzles, gardening and cooking – she was an amazing cook!

Kay had loved the out of doors and she and Orace had a camp on Cockburn Island where they spent a great deal of time. Kay enjoyed boating and riding on the three-wheeler and snowmobiling; but of all the things Kay enjoyed doing being with family was the most important part of her life. Her life revolved around Orace and Cathy and that was what made her happiest and gave her the most satisfaction.

Kay loved all her family and was never happier than when she was surrounded by as many of them as possible. She was the hub of her siblings, keeping them in touch with one another. She was always ready to chat. Kay had the ability to listen, really listen and gave good advice. Kay liked to cook was ready to host big family dinners at the drop of a hat. She was close not only to her brothers and sisters and their spouses but her nieces and nephews were very special to her and the feeling was mutual.

Ten years ago Orace passed away. In many ways Kay lost her soul mate. It was a difficult time for her but no matter what she kept on going. She was a special person. She was the kind of person you just liked to be around, warm and welcoming always ready to listen. Kay had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh. Kay was well loved.