After a 3 year battle with cancer Cathy finally passed away in the early morning of August 28, with family at her bedside in a Port Moody hospice facility. She is survived by her husband Graeme, son Cameron (Melissa) and daughter Aislinn (Frank) and her beautiful little granddaughter Mischa, along with sisters Barbara and Donna, an aunt, uncles, nieces and nephews. Cathy, the oldest of three daughters, was born in Edmonton and travelled thru northern BC as her father worked at various dam site projects, then raised and schooled in Kelowna before moving to North Vancouver and finally Williams Lake in the late 1970’s.
From an early age Cathy was a self assured and confident girl, mixed with equal parts independence, determination and purpose, who knew what she wanted in life. She had a thirst for travel and adventure, and after graduating from high school headed off to Europe with a school friend to begin to satisfy that desire. Little did she know at the time, but that decision would chart the course for the rest of her life, as on that trip she would cross paths with the person who she was destined to marry and spend the rest of her life with. On her return to Canada she attended BCIT, graduating with an accounting degree. She married in 1976 and moved to Williams Lake 3 years later, making a home and raising her kids, soon becoming a frequent figure around schools, the skating rink, swimming pool and soccer fields in support of her family. She volunteered with various organizations and worked as a school secretary after her children had grown.
She had a passion for everything she did and she loved to create, whether with food or with fabric, and fine details were important to her. Hosting a feast for family and friends was one of her favourite, and most anticipated activities. Christmas, and celebrating it with her family, was always her most special time of year. Sewing, especially skating dresses for her daughter, beading and quilting were talents she excelled at. She had a passion for reading and research, had a wealth of knowledge of so many things but was always looking to learn more. There was no question unanswerable with the advent of the internet. Constantly on the lookout for what was next to do, she tried sailing, kayaking and scuba diving, hiking and skiing, she loved gardening, scented roses and home décor, photography and computers, fine wine and a wee dram of a smooth single malt Scotch, along with summer music festivals, 5th wheel travel and camping with friends. Her travel adventures took her to the Far East, the South Pacific, continental Europe, the Yukon, California, Mexico, Scotland and the Isle of Man. She had a warm smile and could spark up a conversation with just about anyone at any time. She was generous with her time and her energy, always looking for ways to help out in support of family and friends.
After her specific cancer diagnosis was made she knew her odds were poor at best, so she set out to research everything about her disease in an effort to win the race for her life. Every chemo option, every treatment or trial, every thread of information was followed to help her understand, and try to stay one step ahead of, what she was fighting against. She could easily converse with the various doctors who attended to her, offer ideas, suggest trials or treatments that might possibly be to her advantage. But cancer makes no friends, plays no favourites and never sleeps, and there was to be no reward for finishing second in her race. We are most grateful to “Dr.B” at VGH whose skill as a surgeon gave her a 2 year head start, and to “Dr. Sasha” at LGH who respected her knowledge, often referring to her as ‘Dr. McIntosh’, and offered her hope until there was no more. We also thank the many nurses and staff at the various hospitals and ER's she was in, specifically the Lions Gate Hospital chemo unit, the Eagle Ridge Hospital W2A and the Crossroads Hospice where her life sadly came to a close. Their unending compassion, dedication and care made her struggle so much easier for us all to bear.
A remembrance of her life will be held in the coming spring, when the weather warms and the flowers begin to bloom again. In lieu of flowers, Cathy would surely appreciate a donation in her name to a worthy social cause or charity.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5