Mom was a woman of great faith and a proud member of St Mary’s Parish, East Bay as well as a 78 year member of the CWL. Her life focused on being and doing good, always choosing to see the best in everyone. Mom was grateful for her large family and all the people in her life. She was gentle, compassionate, and dedicated to practicing kindness daily.
Mom took great pride in providing a warm and loving home for all who entered. Her Rosary, prayer time, her church and serving others were of utmost importance in her life. She was well informed on current events and political issues, and took great pleasure in listening to CBC radio daily, and the challenge of completing crossword puzzles. She loved anything pink.
Raised and living most of her life in East Bay, she was the daughter of the late James W. and Mary Sarah (MacNeil) MacDonald. Upon the early death of her mother Mom happily accepted the role of care giver to her siblings and supported her father.
Catherine is survived by her two loving sisters Irene Lefort (the late Henry) Antigonish, and Gloria Youden (Alfred) Sydney. Mom sorely missed her siblings who passed before her - her dear twin Refina MacNeil (the late George) Sydney, sisters Margaret Paruch (the late Ed) Sydney, Marie Walsh (the late James) Antigonish, brothers John MacDonald, East Bay, Norman MacDonald (the late Margie) East Bay, Bernard MacDonald Oshawa, Ontario. She is survived by sisters-in-law Kay MacDonald, The Cove Guest Home, Mary MacDonald, Oshawa, and Sr. Florence MacLellan, Antigonish.
Mom was a loving and supportive wife to her husband, Angus, until his death in 2005. Together they raised 9 children, all of whom will miss her dearly. Jim (Maureen) Vanderhoof, BC, Margaret Ann (Bob Montrose) Sydney Forks, Barry (Marina) Shelburne, Mary (Allan MacNeil) Coxheath, Refina (Farokh Buhariwalla) Coxheath, Donnie (Donalda) East Bay, Gerard, East Bay, Patricia (Allan Taylor) Coxheath, Carol (Adrien Amirault) Yellowknife NWT. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren: Hugh, Carla, Matthew, Dan, and Mary Rose MacLellan; Liam and Ryan MacLellan; Andrew, Daniel, Steven and Stuart MacNeil; Colin, Catherine, Patricia and Margaret Buhariwalla; Martin and Rita MacLellan; Carolyn and Leah Taylor; Andree, Marcel and Jean Luc Amirault, and 16 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved to visit their dear “GG”.
Until the very end she modeled daily gratitude, humility, kindness, forgiveness, and faith, as well as processing a keen sense of humor. She will be missed more than she could ever realize, but we are happy to see her released from the limitations of age. She made a difference and we loved her.
Special thanks to the dedicated staff of MacGillivary Guest home, especially those on the CND wing. Working with the elderly is truly a calling. Mom was blessed to experience such loving care. Her family is forever grateful to each and every staff member.
Donations in her memory to MacGillivary Guest Home are gratefully appreciated.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions a private family funeral will be held at St Mary’s Parish East Bay. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be livestreamed via TW Curry’s Facebook page on Friday, Mar. 12 starting at 11:00am. Memories and condolences may also be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
