Cathy's 75th surprise
birthday party with her family at Jan's (daughter) and Tony's house.
Family was very
important to Cathy. After leaving home as a teenager she maintained
very close contact with most of her family members. The challenges that
they experienced as a family, the strength her mother showed in raising
her children and the bonds that they formed were the basis for the strong
ties that still exist today. Cathy kept better records than Statistics
Canada on all family birthdays, events, celebrations and gift lists.
Her daily to-do list always included calling a family member or preparing
a gift for someone.
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Cathy thought she was visiting her daughter's home (Jan and Tony) for
a casual visit. This was well over a week before her birthday. Cathy was
totally surprised by seeing nearly all of her family gathered to greet
her. The SMILE says it all.
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Cathy
with her big brother Peter (the oldest). A close bond formed when they were
growing up, both giving support to their mother and siblings in tough circumstances
in rural Lansdowne. Memories of those times gave both of them and their
siblings a strong incentive to never look back and create a value filled,
successful life. |
Cathy
and her oldest sister Sallee. They were in daily touch during Cathy's challenging
last months, giving each other the strength to face the biggest test in
their respective lives. Cathy drew strength from Sallee's calls just as
Sallee had during previous times when Cathy was there for her. |
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Sister Vicki (Norm),
Cathy and Carol (Peter).
Vicki visited Cathy
regularly during Cathy's last month. The laughter testified to the strong
bonds formed over the years. Carol and Peter presented Cathy with a
beautiful hand made quilt when she came home from the hospital. It gave
her warmth and comfort to her last day, just as her family had.
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The family
from top left going right. Brothers Michael and Eddie, Mary JO ( Michael),
Tony (Pam), world traveling nephew), Sallee, Cathy. Bottom right, sister
Vicki and brother Peter. Centre forefront Pam and bottom left Richard. Cathy
received an ultra modern deluxe microwave oven for her birthday that matched
the other new appliances that had recently been installed in her kitchen.
Remember the ad, "Friends don't let their friends have 1990's kitchens."
Nor does this family. |
Daughters
Jan and Pam with their respective children. Left, Jack. Centre Ellie,
Reg and sister Kate. Tony behind Kate wishes to remain incognito (he hates
big words). Ross,
Jan's son is presently in Ireland finishing his education at a university.
He can be seen in other family pictures (link at bottom of page).
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| If you would like more information on the Victoria
Cancer Quilts |
And
finally sealing the deal, accepting her 75th year, Cathy blows candles on
the custom confectionery with Jan and Sallee in the background. This page
was sponsored by Steam Whistle Beer whose strategic product placement
may be seen, courtesy of Richard (Pam). |
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I had the pleasure
of visiting many of Cathy's brothers and sisters and their families
with Cathy in the past few years:
Peter and Carol,
Sallee and Rick, Michael and Mary Jo, Jim and Gail, Eddie and Patti,
Vicki and Norm.
Not to forget
all their children and families. A special mention for Erin and
Chris from Alberta, who were married in 2016 in Lansdowne. Attending
their wedding was a highlight and treasured memory in Cathy's last
year.
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