(August 5, 1946 – May 3, 2015)
Dearest Catherine, Mom and Gran, left us for a better place on May 3, 2015 with family by her side after a five year battle with cancer. Catherine was predeceased by her parents, David Carty and Catherine Carty, and by her brother Henry. She is survived by her spouse and partner of nearly 50 years, Tom. She is also survived by her sister, Agnes (Senga) Carty, her brother Arvid (Marg), her sister Anne and her sister-in-law Maureen Johnson (Wayne), as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. As well, left to mourn are her two children, Steve and Michelle. Gran will be missed most by her darling grandchildren, Alexandra and Easton, with whom she shared a special bond, having been an integral part of their lives.
Catherine was born in Lanark, Scotland and she emigrated with her family to Canada in 1955, arriving in Montreal and eventually settling in the West Kootenays; first in Salmo, B.C. and then in Trail, B.C.
To all those who knew her, Catherine had an engaging smile that put all at ease on the first introduction. She was tenacious by nature with a tireless energy that belied her diminutive frame. She was a strong advocate for those who needed it having fought many hard battles on someone else’s behalf. Catherine will be remembered for lobbying to have all children integrated into the West Kootenay School District -- regardless of ability -- after her son suffered a devastating injury in 1982 that rendered him a quadriplegic. From there, she went on to work at the Children’s Development Centre in Trail, where she helped families at risk. Her devotion to those in need fueled her spirit to help in significant ways. One of her proudest achievements was launching the palliative care / respite program in the Trail area in her role as pastoral assistant, at what was then known as Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She regularly contributed to the local newspaper sharing words of comfort and guidance targeted to those enduring life’s most challenging moments. These skills carried on in her work with the Ministry of Social Services in Vancouver where she helped those less fortunate get back on their feet.
A Rosary will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Port Coquitlam, B.C. on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 7:30 pm and a Catholic Funeral Mass will be officiated by Fr. Ron Thomson on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 10:00 am.
Condolences may be made in Catherine’s name to the B.C. Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.