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August 22, 1927 - May 24, 2024

In loving memory ~

Catherine Meeks passed away at home, surrounded by family, on May 24 in Cranbrook, B.C., at the age of 96.

Catherine was born Aug. 22, 1927, in Waterhole, Alta. She is survived by her children - Kathleen (Martin) Whitesel of Cranbrook, David (Martha) of Cranbrook, Michael (Ferris) of Slave Lake, AB, Judy (Keven) MacDonald of Richmond, Philip of Burnaby, Colleen (Larry) Dureski of Cranbrook, Alanna (Vid) Wadhwani of Maple Ridge, and adopted son Mark (Lynda) Mauger of Abbotsford.

She will be missed by her 14 grandchildren: Madison Tironese and Benjamin Meeks, Jessica Whitesel, Patrick and Rebecca MacDonald, Emily Oakley and Rosalie Dureski, Ashley Wadhwani-Smith, Nathan, Isaac and Jacob Wadhwani, Lori Mohitpour and Ty and Robbie Mauger; as well as her 10 great-grandchildren: Nate Dureski and Asher Oakley, Logan and Morgan MacDonald, Ally and Ella Mohitpour, Tayah and Maecy Mauger and Henry and Elliot Mauger. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters Irene, Angela, Alphonse, Lena, Pauline and Raymond.

Catherine was predeceased by her husband Ernie and daughter Rose Mary, as well as her parents Peter and Rosa Dechant, sisters Mary, Annie and Freida and her brothers Philip, John, Alex and Alvis.

Catherine, nicknamed 'Katie' to her beloved husband, met Ernie at the St. Eugene Hospital where she was a student nurse and he a patient following a minor work injury. They married on Jan. 2, 1952, in northern Alberta. Shortly after, the young newlywed's returned to Cranbrook where they built their home with their own two hands and began their family.

Some might remember 'Kay' as their favourite maternity nurse, having delivered many babies at St. Eugene's and the newer Cranbrook Hospital. She enjoyed her career and took great pride in treating each baby and new mother with loving care and attention.

Mom, grandma, great-grandma, Katie and/or Catherine - however she was known - truly loved life. Fitness was always important to her and she loved to exercise by walking in her neighbourhood or working out at the local gym. She was so thrilled to carry the torch in Cranbrook for the 2010 Olympic torch relay.

She was an amazing cook and even better baker. Many cakes were raffled through the years at the St. Mary's and Christ the Servant parish bazaars. Her poppyseed chiffon cake, meticulously decorated with beautiful flowers and butter cream frosting was a must-have raffle item. Even better were her homemade buns that sold out before the doors were open.

Catherine was a devout Catholic and long-standing member of the Catholic Women's League. She truly showed us what it was to have unwavering faith. When she first retired, she attended morning mass and spent time praying in the adoration chapel. One of her favourite memories was seeing Pope John Paul II during his visit to Vancouver in 1984.

During the pandemic, Mom watched the morning mass with David and was often joined by Kathleen and more recently Philip. As she grew older, she would take time every afternoon to pray the Rosary with her daughter Kathleen. It was a special time that was always shared with whoever was home visiting. She enjoyed her visits on Saturday with friend and Eucharistic Minister Terry Kennedy. We would like to thank Terry for this beautiful gesture and for her friendship.

Caring for our mother in her final days was an honour and privilege shared by all her children who travelled back to their family home. We would also like to thank Dr. Brown and staff at the Green Clinic, and Cranbrook Home Health for their help and TLC, especially back and foot rubs. We would also like to thank the palliative care team Sue, Stephanie, Justin and Shannon for guidance and care during Catherine's last days.

Catherine loved with warmth and showed us all how to forgive and be resilient in times of hardship. "Take time to pray each day and when you don't know what to do lay your burdens at the Foot of the Cross," were words she lived by.

Prayers will be held Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Christ the Servant Church. The funeral mass will be held Monday, June 3, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at Christ the Servant Church, located at 1100-14th Ave S, Cranbrook, B.C.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable donation to:

Lights of Hope with the St Paul's Foundation or Covenant House Vancouver.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Sunday, June 2, 2024
7:00 PM
Christ the Servant Church


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