October 7, 1952 - April 11, 2022
With much sadness, Cathy's family share the news of her passing on Monday, April 11, 2022 at the West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni.
She leaves behind to forever miss her, her husband and soul mate of 44 years, Doug; children, David (Alison) Markin of Victoria; grandchildren, Isaac Aleksandr and Edmund William Markin; siblings, Marie (Herb) Mello of Weymouth Massachusetts, Judy McInnis of Glace Bay Nova Scotia, Bonita (Jack) Morin and Linda Freeman of Dorchester Massachusetts, Deborah McPhee of Sackville New Brunswick, Peter (Bev) of North Bay Ontario, Kim (Tom) Patterson of Barrie Ontario, Mike (Jill) MacNeil Lexington Massachusetts.
She will also be missed by her mother in law, Mamie Markin of Port Alberni BC, sister in laws, Denise Markin of Victoria, Kelly Markin of Parksville, and Alison Markin of Port McNeill; brother in law, Brian Markin of Parksville; her aunts, Veronica Stonier of Dartmouth NS, Judy Jack of Port Alberni, and Annie Agar Chilliwack; and special friends, Rick and Mary Homer of Victoria BC; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews from coast to coast in Canada and the USA.
Cathy was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Peter; sister, Patricia; brother in laws, Don (Booper) McInnis, Don Freeman, and Gerard McPhee.
Cathy was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia to parents, Peter and Mary McNeil. After graduating from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, she taught at Saint John's School in Glace Bay.
Doug's job carried them across Canada and she also held teaching positions at Oxford House Elementary School in Oxford House Manitoba, Greater Victoria School District 61 and Sooke School District 62.
Later years found her in a teacher/manager role at Sylvan Learning Centre in Victoria, BC and Ottawa Ontario. Cathy then took her teaching skills and applied them as Assistant Branch Manager for Bank of Montreal at Main Branch in Victoria, BC.
Cathy kept herself busy and was a member of Nanaimo Amateur Winemakers Association, member of British Columbia Guild of Wine Judges, loved sewing, knitting, tole painting and gardening. She maintained a large blueberry, strawberry and raspberry patch for her grandson's enjoyment.
Cathy loved cooking. After relocating to Port Alberni to retire she attended many cooking classes with her shopping buddy and friend, Judy Jack.
A very social person, Cathy's main interest was people, culture and their history. In her travels from Hong Kong to Rome and all points in between she was most interested in the history of the different cultures and how they lived.
Cathy's greatest gift was her ability to make any house we lived in "our Home". No matter where we were if she was there, it was home!!! Home is where the heart is.
The family would like to thank all the health care professionals at Victoria General Hospital, Nanaimo Regional Hospital, West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni, Victoria Hospice Society, Alberni Valley Hospice Society and Home Care Services. They provided so much TLC to make Cathy's journey as comfortable as possible.
Thanks to Chrissy her Home Care Nurse for keeping her as comfortable as possible.
A special thanks to her family doctor, Dr. Gregory dePape. Cathy was so appreciative of the care and attention she received from him or his receptionist Celine; at no time did she ever feel she had been ignored or forgotten. In her opinion Dr. dePape put the "family in family doctor".
The family requests that donations be made to the British Columbia Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.
A Celebration of Life for Cathy will be held at a later date.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesmemorial.ca
Yates Memorial Services
250.723.5859
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Yates Memorial Services