OBITUARY
Cathryn Anne McIntosh
January 1, 1955 – August 28, 2018
After a 3 year battle with cancer Cathy finally passed away in the early morning of August 28, with family at her bedside in a Port Moody hospice facility. She is survived by her husband Graeme, son Cameron (Melissa) and daughter Aislinn (Frank) and her beautiful little granddaughter Mischa, along with sisters Barbara and Donna and aunt, uncles, niece and nephews. Cathy was born in Edmonton, raised and schooled in Kelowna before moving to Vancouver and then Williams Lake in the late 1970’s.
From an early age Cathy was a self assured and confident girl, mixed with equal parts independence, determination and purpose, who knew what she wanted in life. She had a thirst for travel and adventure, and after graduating from high school headed off to Europe with a school friend to begin to satisfy that desire. Little did she know at the time, but that decision would chart the course for the rest of her life, as on that trip she would cross paths with the person she was destined to marry and spend the rest of her life. On her return she attended BCIT and graduated with an accounting degree. She married in 1976 and moved to Williams Lake 3 years later, making a home and raising her kids, soon becoming a frequent figure around schools, the skating rink, swimming pool and soccer fields in support of her family. She volunteered with various organizations and worked as a school secretary after her children had grown.
She had a passion for everything she did and she loved to create, whether with food or with fabric, and fine details were important to her. Hosting a feast for family and friends was one of her favourite, and most looked forward to, activities. Sewing, specifically skating dresses for her daughter, beading and quilting were talents she excelled at. She had a passion for reading and research, had a wealth of knowledge of so many things but was always looking to learn more, and there was no question unanswerable with the advent of the internet. Constantly on the lookout for what was next to do, she tried sailing, kayaking and scuba diving, hiking and skiing, loved gardening and home décor, photography and computers, fine wine and a wee dram of a smooth single malt Scotch whiskey, along with summer music festivals, 5th wheel travel and camping with friends. Her travel adventures took her to the Far East, the South Pacific, Mexico, Scotland and the Isle of Man. She had a warm smile and could spark up a conversation with just about anyone at any time. She was generous with her time and her energy, always looking for ways to help out in support of family and her friends.
After her specific cancer diagnosis was made she knew her odds were poor at best, so she set out to research everything about her disease in an effort to win the race for her life. Every chemo option, every treatment or trial, every thread of information was followed to help her understand and try to stay one step ahead of what she was fighting against. She could easily converse with the various doctors who attended her, offer ideas, suggest trials or treatments that might possibly be to her advantage. But cancer makes no friends, plays no favourites and never sleeps, and there was no reward for finishing second in her race. We are most grateful to “Dr.B” at VGH whose skill as a surgeon gave her a 2 year head start, and to “Dr. Sasha” at LGH who respected her knowledge, often referring to her as ‘Dr. McIntosh’, and offered her hope until there was no more, along with the many nurses and staff at the various hospital ER’s she was in, the Lions Gate Hospital chemo unit, Eagle Ridge Hospital and the Crossroads Hospice where her life sadly came to a close. Their unending compassion, dedication and care made her struggle so much easier for us all.
A remembrance of her life will be held in the coming spring, when the weather warms and the flowers begin to bloom. In lieu of flowers a donation in her name to a worthy social cause will be appreciated.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Cathryn Anne McIntosh 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: port-coquitlam, Province: Colombie britanique