Catherine Gayle VanBuskirk

Following a progressive journey with dementia, Cathy died unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her sleep on a beautiful Thanksgiving Sunday morning. Predeceased by her beloved husband Van and son Dan, parents Leslie Hope and Margaret Coon, siblings Marilyn, Doug, Darrell and Donna, Cathy is survived, and will be deeply missed, by her daughters Cindy VanBuskirk, Shelley VanBuskirk (Chris) and Kim McRae (Chris), two beautiful grandchildren, Carter and Sutton McRae, her sister Joyce, and many nieces and nephews.

Cathy was born in Moncton, New Brunswick and although she spent decades in Ottawa, she was an east coast girl at her core. Married at nineteen to the love of her life Van, she became a mom at twenty-one and devoted much of her life to working and raising a family as a military wife through numerous postings in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Germany and Ontario. Cathy cherished the many lifelong friends she made along the way as only those who have experienced the military lifestyle can understand. Following Van’s retirement from the Armed Forces after 27 years of service and a transition to the civilian aviation sector, Cathy and Van settled in Ottawa to be closer to their children. Sadly, a happily anticipated retirement and potential move back to the east coast was not to be as Van died suddenly of complications following surgery at the age of fifty-four. Cathy showed remarkable resilience in the face of devastating grief and spent the next twenty-five years concluding a career in administration with JSI, spending time with family and friends in retirement, and doting on her grandchildren who she loved beyond measure.

As her dementia progressed and compromised her memory and independence, Cathy held on to her sense of humour. Known at her retirement residence for her quick come backs and easy laugh, Cathy loved to play bingo, take bus trips with other residents to local restaurants and attractions, and enjoyed sitting in the lounge watching the Golden Girls and other sitcoms with the ladies. In recent months, as her cognitive decline accelerated and her mobility was impacted, she continued to look forward to visits from her daughters and was always happy to see pictures and hear news about her grandchildren’s accomplishments at school and at the hockey arena.

Cindy, Shelley and Kim would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the care and compassion Cathy received from the management, nursing, physiotherapy and personal care teams at Hazeldean Gardens over the past four and half years, including Dr. Chapman, Tammy Lindsay and the incredible professionals on the second floor who supported Cathy through her time in assisted living and memory care. This support allowed her to live with dignity in an environment filled with empathy, kindness and humour.

A grave-side service will be held in Moncton, New Brunswick at a future date where Cathy will finally join Van who has been waiting patiently for her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ottawa Humane Society in Cathy’s memory.