SISLER, Catherine Joan December 6, 1956 – December 16, 2021
After a life of fierce creative energy and uncompromising care for people in precarious situations Cathy Sisler died peacefully at the Niagara Health St. Catharines Hospital surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. She was 65 years old. Cathy’s life is cherished by her mother Joan Sisler Wells, sister Laura Schmitt (John), brothers Gordon Sisler (Janice Giesbrecht) and David Sisler (Kathryn), nieces and nephews Julia (Christopher), Laurel Anne (Martin), Kealan, Jared and Michael, grand¬niece Clara Mae, grandnephew Harlan, aunt Barbara and cousins Karen and Michael Severin. She was loved and will be deeply missed by her large and close family and friends at 15 Gale Crescent, St. Catharines, her colleagues and loved ones at Start Me Up Niagara and a rich circle of friends and fellow artists.
Cathy was born into the loving family of George and Joan Sisler in Neenah, Wisconsin, moving to Niagara in 1965. As a young woman Cathy was a fearless performer and talented flautist. In the 1980s she and Ana Coutinho fronted the band Sight Unseen playing original material to a passionate group of followers on the Toronto club circuit. Entering her 30s Cathy concentrated on visual art studying at OCADU and completing an MFA at Concordia University. Throughout the 90s Cathy flourished as an artist based in Montreal. She is widely regarded as a pioneer in the fields of video, performance and multi-media installation exploring themes of gender, body image, communication and power.
The Better Me was purchased by the National Gallery of Canada in 1998. Her video Lullaby for the Almost Falling Woman obtained Prix du Jury at the Festival du Cinema at des Nouveaux Medias in 1997. Her show The Reflexive Woman made in collaboration with Nicole Gingras toured throughout Canada with appearances in England and France.
At the age of 40 Cathy experienced a series of catastrophic health issues necessitating a lengthy and difficult healing process. She relocated to Niagara and struggled to re-energize her creative life. Remarkably, in her 50s Cathy connected with Start Me Up Niagara and her neighbours at 15 Gale Crescent to find renewed vitality in this her chosen family. In their embrace Cathy learned anew how to receive and give love. Surrounded by their support Cathy established Art Me Up an art studio space open to all. Her own painting work resumed, producing pieces, like the one shown here, filled with the gratitude she felt to have found a community in which she knew at last she belonged unconditionally.
We are deeply grateful to the compassionate care provided by the Intensive Care Unit at Niagara Health, in particular the exemplary work of nurse Mia Wiercinski and Doctor Ryan D’Sa. Donations honouring Cathy’s memory would be greatly appreciated directed to Start Me Up Niagara.
Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Catherine Joan Sisler Thursday December 16th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: FONTHILL, Province: Ontario