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Kathleen Elva Cohoe
March 19th, 1970
–
November 18th, 2024
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Kathleen “Katie” Elva Cohoe, thrill-seeker, tree-hugger, gift-giving extraordinaire, and fiercely loving sister, mother, and friend, was welcomed home by God on November 18th, 2024 at the age of 54.
Katie was born in Brandon, Manitoba on March 19th, 1970. She is reunited in Heaven with her parents, Daniel and Elva Cohoe, née McDonald, and her brother, Grant, whom she loved so dearly. Katie is survived by her two daughters, Jaden and Brianna, and by her siblings, Maureen (Harvey), Shawn, Shelagh, Brad, and Brent (Diane). She also leaves behind many cherished aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, including her best friend, Kirsten.
A forensic psychiatric nurse, Katie was someone who made it her life’s goal to support and protect the people around her. The kind of person who put down her groceries to stop and ask strangers on the street what they needed, even when she had barely enough herself. The kind who only needed to learn a person’s name and story once to never forget, and did everything in her power to advocate for them. The kind whom strangers would spill their entire life to, because they knew she was someone who genuinely cared.
Katie was someone who made you feel seen, which is an extremely rare gift. She tirelessly listened to all your rants that you were sure sounded like a broken record, but she assured you she didn’t mind. And she always seemed to know just what to say. She was someone who gave you a kiss with a big “mwah” and pulled you into the warmest hug you’ve ever felt.
And if you believe in love languages, gift-giving was definitely Katie’s; there was no one greater at it. She had a special intuition that always made her hit the mark and, much to everyone’s horror, would never spare any expense. It’s no surprise that Katie loved to celebrate; any holiday or special occasion was an excuse to spoil her loved ones. She never failed to let her family know they were the light of her life.
Katie knew how to throw a party, too. Everything would be themed, from food to decorations to wrapping paper, and it didn’t stop there. Even for the everyday, Katie centered the various rooms of the house around theme; from beach getaway to fairy haven to Star Wars dreamscape, she truly knew interior design. And when it came to fashion, no one had an eye for detail like Katie did. She was always colour-coordinated and had the perfect outfit for every occasion. She had an incredible talent for knowing what articles looked right together and a knack for always getting the best deals, making the most out of any thrift shop trip. Everyone who knew her could agree she knew how to do the 80’s right too.
As one may also infer, Katie was quite the nerd, and not just any nerd, but the kind that convinced her daughters to go to fan conventions and renaissance fairs, and watched the original Star Wars 12 times in theatres the year of its release, even when the lineup was around the block. She loved any reason to dress up in costume and is the reason her daughters fell so deeply in love with theatre and dance, to which she’d proudly be beaming from the crowd.
Katie was also an incredible prankster. She loved April Fools’ Day and the chance to stuff cotton balls between Oreo cookies or jump out at her daughters in a spooky mask. She was a hippie and environmentalist, a cat mom, and squirrel watcher, and a woman with a stellar taste in music, with classic country, vintage hit tunes, and 80’s pop rock being her go-to’s. She had the best of both worlds: the boldness and resolution of the city and the gentle yet ferocious love of the country. She always dove head-first to try things on her own and could fix almost anything with just a little fiddling.
Most of all, Katie was an adventurer at heart. She moved across the country from Brandon to New Westminster, BC at 22 and travelled the globe from Western Europe to Northern Africa to Oceania. Her favourite place of all, though, was the endless white beaches, crystal blue waters, and kind local faces of Tahiti, to which she longed to one day return.
She was an excellent swimmer, downhill and water skier, and rode a bike with no hands. She skydived, hot air ballooned, and river rafted, swam with sharks and stingrays, and loved all variations of amusement park rides and waterslides. She loved Halloween, haunted houses, and anything in the horror genre; nothing was scary enough for her. And no matter what happened, whether it be getting stranded at an empty drive-in theatre at 3 am or having her car catch fire, she always kept her cool. Perhaps the scariest thing she did, however, was teach her daughter how to drive.
Katie was truly one of our greatest teachers. She taught us to “knock on wood”, never walk under a ladder, and always toss spilt salt over our shoulders. She taught us how to make killer omelets and grilled cheeses with soup, the secret recipe to Cohoe cookies, and the trick to making the best chocolate chip cookies that have impressed friends and colleagues the world over. She showed us to care deeply, to let ourselves laugh until we cry, and not let anyone tell us, “It can’t be done”. She showed us that this too shall pass, that kindness is all that matters in the end, and to love fiercely, with our whole hearts. She was a watcher of the stars, a lover of the sea, and a proud Irish farm girl through and through. A brilliant storyteller, trivia extraordinaire, and one of the bravest women we have ever known. We wouldn’t be who or where we are without her nor be blessed with those memories that got us here.
We’ll think of Katie in every blooming crocus, every seaside sunset, every Alabama and Shania Twain song. And every little thrift shop on the corner, where we know she’d be excitedly picking out treasures for us all. And with them, recall all the memories, all the wisdom, all the love that she left us, and the love we’ll always hold for her.
Anyone graced with Katie Cohoe’s incredible kindness was so grateful to have known her. Her fiercely strong, daring, loving spirit is so deeply loved and will be missed beyond what words can describe.
“Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance”
– Lee Ann Womack
A graveside service will be held at a later date, with burial next to her brother and parents at Saint Paul’s Cemetery in Starbuck, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Katie to your favourite charity.
March 19th 1970
November 18th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Maple Ridge, Province: Colombie britanique
death notice Kathleen Elva Cohoe March 19th 1970
November 18th 2024
obituaries notice Kathleen Elva Cohoe March 19th 1970
November 18th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kathleen Elva Cohoe March 19th 1970
November 18th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
