It is with devastating sadness that we announce together that Catherine passed away early this morning. Catherine fought her disease as she lived her life, fearlessly, refusing to give up until the very end.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday, June 8 at Friscolanti Funeral Home (43 Barton St. East near James) in Hamilton from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
The funeral will be held at St. Eugene's Roman Catholic Church (232 Queenston Road at Parkdale Avenue N.) in Hamilton on Wednesday, June 9 at 10 a.m.
We encourage everyone to share their memories with Catherine on this website, so that we may mourn collectively and celebrate her life together.
UPDATE: Read Catherine's obituary here: http://www.lifenews.ca/thespec/profile/100322--ciavarella-catherine-ann
UPDATE: Catherine's obituary in the Kingston Whig-Standard: http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=398147
9 comments:
I met Cathy thru Scottie. We would see each other at different Scottie events and I always enjoyed chatting with her-it was always fascinating! One of my last memories of her is in Scott and Dan's living room at Scottie's 40th! We ate, drank and 'be merry.' It was so much fun!
Rest in Peace and shake it up a bit up there Cathy 'with the eyes' -beautiful eyes.
Laurel
In remembrance of my friend and colleague:
- A fellow ‘teacher’ and ‘culture vulture’
- Who ate the fries off my plate at the Duke;
- Was up to see a good film anytime;
- Loved office snacks and refreshments;
- Knew Ministry Directives and where to find them
- Help put “troubles” into perspective
- Who remembered everyone’s birthdays
- And reminded those of her half and full birthday.
- A truly unique individual.
Donna
I am so sorry i wasn't able to connect with Cathy during this time. I moved to California almost 3 years ago and have been out of touch. I had no idea she was sick. Thank you to all her family and friends who were clearly a comfort to her. I will miss her. We had some fun times together during our Fine Art Days at Queen's. We loved riding our bikes together all over Kingston. I love you Cathy! I hope you can hear me now. Love Jane
I had the pleasure of being a roomate of CCs one year at Queen's. She was such fun! From the little freezer in our living room which her folks kept stocked with breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals on their monthly pilgrimages to Kingston, to the time I came home to find her most disappointed when the "cake" she had attempted to "make" failed - a unique combo of various varieties of her mom's muffins (both sweeet and savory) which she had defrosted and then put back in the nuker along with some milk to bind it all together, she was a great to be around. I also came home once to her proud display after grinding all of my expensive coffeee beans at once.I didn't have the heart to tell her that she had just ruined my ritual! She loved to roam around the apartment in her tiny kimono showing off her great gams with the heat blasting complaining of the cold. We usually got together once a year for a meal. She proudly showed me "her" gallery when the Crystal opended and most recently last summer whe we hit the hookah bars on Queen West for one, what would be final, farewell. Im so glad I got to know you CC. You are one of kind. Love Marce.
My deepest condolences to you, family and friends of Catherine. I worked with her and she talked fondly of you and often, especially her mom. I can honestly say that the files I had with Catherine were the ones I had the most fun on! She had a wonderful sense of humour and we had some joyous times at ROM openings! My husband also had the opportunity to know her and we are very sad. We will miss her. Love and peace, Catherine.
Melissa & Gary
It's natural for us to freeze people in time. We'll often remember a person based on our last experiences with them because that's all we have to go on. So, although I haven't seen or known Cathy over the past 20 years, I have a snapshot of her that I hold for time. It's my own reality of her.
It was 1990 and I remember always bumping into Cathy (another CC) at the Queen's swimming pool. I'd met her through Scott and Connie.
One day, we were with Scott, leaving a place where Connie worked. It was upstairs, had something to do with art (children's?), and was on a side street I think, running perpendicularly off Princess.
As we left, Cathy and I were looking at a model of some kind. It was at the top of the stairs before entering the main room. The model was of an undersea home (or perhaps a town but I think it was a house). I remember her saying how much she loved the water - she said if she could just live in the water, she would love it.
From that day, I liked to think of her as some kind of beautiful mermaid.
And now, upon hearing this sad news, I'd like to think that's where she is; swimming with the dolphins, exploring all the beauty, mystery, and magic of the undersea world - a world that she loved.
Carla
Catherine was a shining light at the Ministry of Culture. Her humour, elegance and vivaciousness livened up the place and knitted us together. I knew the moment we met that we would be friends. We were both visual artists with a love of Italy, of our families (mothers and nephews), of wicked humour - especially when it came to making fun of bad management decisions at the Ministry. She was so compassionate in consoling me when my mother died. I was so happy she and her mother were able to go on a wonderful trip to Italy - just the two of them. She knew how important family is and how precious life is. She made sure always to make special moments and memories with her family, friends and colleagues. It is so hard to believe that someone so young and full of life could be gone. She was unforgettable and I will treasure my memories of her sparkling energy, her huge smile, her gorgeous fashion and fabulous wit, as we all mourn her loss.
Vibrant and vivacious
Independent, compassionate and really fun.
I saw Cathy when were both interviewed for Queen's BFA, then later at a rest stop on the 401 on our way to 1st year. I thought - she is going to be interesting.
She was more than interesting. I am so glad I got to know her and her love for beauty, for hysterical art history classes, for conversation and card games on Sunday nights at Queen's, for the George Foreman grill in the fab Kingston apartment and then our last visit to Queen St. W. which now seems so long ago....so many memories.
Loved you wit, loved your style.
Goodbye friend, Sheila
I am very saddened to hear of Cathy's passing. We took yoga classes together in our condo building for several years. She and I would always look at each other and smile when the poses were beyond our abilities. She dedicated a lot of her personal time to the needs of the condo through her position on the board. I also have fond memories of her taking every opportunity to get out on her bike during sunny summer days.
Rest in peace Cathy
Josie
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