Dear Rose,
I am saddened to hear of Cathy’s passing
I woke on Sept 6th having had a dream with both of you in it. I immediately googled and found that Cathy had passed in June.
My condolences to you and your friends and family.  I have many fond memories of seeing you both in the community and chatting with you both about our respective travels.

Laurie Hamilton- Houston

There is a quote I love that says “grief is just love with no place to go “
You will be missed so much. You were so loved. I feel so honored to have had you in my life. What a big void without you. 
Love Jill Andre and Angel

My deepest condolence to Rose and family. I worked with Cathy for many decades and without hesitation would say that Cathy is one of the kindest and warmest people I have ever met. She will be missed.

May she  rest in everlasting peace  🙏

Linda Costa
CNE family

Dear Rose,

Annis shared with me the news of Cathy's. I will not attempts to fine words to express my sadness for your loss since there are no words that can handle this moment in anybody's life. Please know, however, that I am thinking of you.

Sincerely,

Dennis

Rose, Michael, Chris and families my very deepest and sincere sympathies on your loss.

I was heartbroken to hear of my friend Cathy’s passing, someone who was so special to me.  It’s taken me some time to gather my thoughts and feelings to try to express them in a few words. 

I had the pleasure to work with and develop a very special bond with Cathy over the years – one that was described as Cathy being my CNE Mom :)

Cathy’s presence brought comfort, strength and what was always very sage advice.  Cathy was always so happy to hear when I shared many special moments of my life with her and always had an extremely thoughtful, reassuring, and heartfelt comment when things weren’t always going so well…!  Her soul was filled with generosity, humor, wisdom, and unshakable strength.

My family, and the larger CNE family, will miss you Cathy and I will miss my CNE Mom! 

Rest in Peace Cathy!

You were loved by all and you will be remembered by all rest in peace my friend.love penny

Dear Rose ~ Judy and I will always remember the first time we met you and Cathy at breakfast in San Miguel de Allende. We cherish our friendship over the years, and are holding both you and Cathy forever in our hearts. We love you. xoAnnis & Judy. 

A Fast Friendship 

Our first meeting over breakfast 
Then switching partners for a two-by-two

Walk-and-talk down San Antonio 
To the Mega store for groceries

The connection, immediate and real
As the stone sidewalks we trod.

Tres leches cake for Cathy’s birthday &
Sweet times soaking up San Miguel 

Then adios ‘til 2013, the next February
On Animas, neighbors across the courtyard

You from Toronto
Us from California

Our winter respite warmed, friendship
Deepened, in those bonding days

When East met West in the South
When the Universe brought us together

©Annis Cassells, 2025

So sorry to hear of Cathy’s death.  What a fighter she was. We did not see her often but when we did she was always smiling and no complaints.  To you Rose we are thinking of you, and our deepest sympathy to both families.
With our love,
Cap and Tish

My deepest condolences to Rose, your family, and the entire extended CNE community. I had the sincere pleasure of working and collaborating with Cathy during my time at the CNE from 2011 to 2016.

She was the embodiment of grace and true team spirit. She brought warmth, compassion, and an unwavering kindness to every room she entered. Her impeccable sense of style — especially her signature eyewear and fabulous shoes — always made a statement and so perfectly reflected her vibrant personality.

She will be forever missed and always remembered with love and admiration. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, including mine. 🙏🏼🕯️🕊️

Very sadden to hear about the passing of this lovely lady.  I worked with Cathy at the CNE. We always had lovely conversation's.  I especially loved her choice of wild shoes and colourful eye glasses.  We continued to keep in touch over Facebook and I will miss those little chats.  Condolences to Rose and all of the family

I have known Cathy since the early 1970's . I joined the staff at the CNE in 1981 where I worked with Cathy in the music department under Colonel Hunt. We eventually went to other departments ,but continued our commute together to and from work until Cathy moved from Brampton.
She was truly a special person with a heart of gold. 
Our deepest condolences go out to Rose, brothers Michael and Chris and their families. Rest in peace beautiful angel.

Ruth and Lynne

I just heard of the passing of Cathy, so  sorry had not seen her in some time but we knew each other probably over 50 years.
My thoughts  go out to Rose and Cathy’s family at this most troubled time,

I met Cathy in 1974 when I first started working at the CNE.  I had only been in Toronto for a couple of months so my English wasn’t the best yet but Cathy showed a lot of patience and kindness towards me. Everything from the language to the intricacies of the job  I learned from her.  She was a mentor, a friend, a confidente at times and our friendship carried through even after she retired. We shared a lot of fun and laughter and just recently we both reminisced about the CNE Grandstand days and how much we enjoyed and were lucky to have experienced this.  I will miss you Cathy but you can now rest in peace until we meet again! Please say hello to the Colonel for me.  To Rose, Micheal, Chris and families my heartfelt sympathies she was one of a kind!

I am so sad to hear of  Cathy’s passing. She was so very sweet and kind and will be missed by many.  My heartfelt condolences to Rose and the rest of her family.

I knew Cathy as the mother hen to the summer students that worked at the CNE. Hired in the Ops department as a teen, I worked many-a-summers at the fair. Cathy led her interactions with compassion, kindness and a welcoming smile - and in doing so, helped me grow in my career with confidence. Will forever be grateful for the times we shared. May she rest in peace.

Cathy, you were the best! The Heart of the CNE and a fond friend to all of us inside and outside the Princess Gates! So many great adventures and memories. As we all look back, each day was just another day in paradise.

I only knew Cathy through her work at the CNE, where she always had a good word to say or a smile to give when it was needed.  She had a gentle compassion for all her work colleagues and I imagine that attitude extended to the rest of her world.  Her smile was encouraging but, if you were watching , sometimes you would catch a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.  May she rest in peace.  May her grieving family and friends find comfort in the love she gave them.

We had some fun Ms. Gillies! You were respected, admired and loved by all at the CNE. So many of us cherish such wonderful memories of time shared with you. Our hearts are with you Rose and family. Such a loss.

I was so sad to hear of Cathy's passing.  While I didn't have much direct interaction / work with her at the CNE, she always seemed to be the calm in the hustle and bustle of the office.  It was always a pleasure to have one-on-one conversations with her at staff meetings or events.  Her energy was soothing.  She is and will be missed.
My condolences, Sarah Fink, CNE staff

So sorry to hear about Cathy's passing.
I will never forget her smile and enthusiasm. Always brought a smile to my face when ever I went into the press building for a meeting  or just to get some information!
Rest in peace Cathy!

It is with a heavy heart hearing the loss of Cathy. 
As one of the CNE concessions department staff.  I remember Cathy, always enjoying a good laugh, and had a smile for everyone who crossed her path. 
She was extremely well liked by all of us, now retired from Exhibition Place. 
My condolences to Rose and all the Gillies family. 
Rest in Peace Cathy🙏
Theresa Canning

Cathy was by far the best boss I ever had. 
We shared some wonderful times during the CNE and managed to see each other during the off season. 
A wonderful heart, compassionate and willing to help me when I needed it! 
I will miss her warmth and enthusiasm. 
God Bless Cathy! 
You are with the angels! 
Cathy Andrews

Exhibition Place will sure miss  Cathy Gillies of the CNE entertainment department for so many years.  She truly was a nice lovely lady.  I am so sorry to learn of her passing.

OBITUARY

Catherine Sophia Gillies

February 10, 1945 – June 13, 2025

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services