Catherine Louise ALLISON
(May 21, 1958 to December 15, 2022)
Dame un beso!
She knew the stars and constellations by name.
Cathy could have worked at NASA, driven Forumla 1 or have been content to keep watchful eye from a fire watch tower or a lonely lighthouse.
She believed young people ought to leave home – get out into the world.
In early life, she travelled the ‘instant-get-to-know-you’ ‘gringo trails’ of South America becoming fluent in Spanish along the way - turning away from beaten paths -- Chichicastenago, one of her last stops.
Then too, there was the time she lived in a remote village in the South Pacific.
Cathy found romances (the ones we know of) in Patagonia, Wetaskiwin and at Blueberry Point.
A decorated Girl Scout (with cords), an Ontario Scholar who could play hooky to ski Tally Ho, she took a degree at the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Her professional oath/creed/practice focal point – patients’ pain mitigation/pain management. Twenty years of dedicated service at CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) -- once on a ‘call-back’ driving in blizzard conditions in the middle of the night, only staying on the road by following the overhead hydro line); another dozen at Health Canada and Indigenous Services.
In mid-life, Cathy ‘got the itch’, turned to Carleton University School of Journalism, Master Program, received scholarships, the Rachel Elizabeth Edwards Memorial and Forestry Science Journalism awards. She contributed stories to the Ottawa Citizen, Yukon News and Fred Ryan’s West Quebec Post. Cathy did a stint at CADTH (Canadian Agency for Drug Technologies in Health), became a member of the American Medical Writers Association.
In the last thirty-five years, Cathy’s ‘books-read’, numbered 1,300, editing them as she went. Strong independent-thinking female characters and fine writing always won the day. Cathy kept up a steady exchange of book suggestions over the years with sister, Colleen, participated in the fun companionship of a local women’s book club and for the first time, in summer 2022 attended Shelagh Rogers’ Woody Point Writers’ Festival in Newfoundland, hoping to go again in 2023.
She would not like to know that the library account is frozen (Recent loans will be returned.) Catherine left, with 50 books on hold.
In the last twenty years, Catherine viewed 800 films (many foreign) and did so while knitting the ‘Sweaters of Many Colours’.
Like all members of the Allison family, for Cathy meal plan and food preparation was both art and science. Never settled for ‘boring’. Herbs, always fresh.
Catherine loved life. Was not bitter hers was shortened. (She had lived more than one.) She would want family and friends to ‘get-on-with-it’. She would not like an ‘ah-golly-gee’ obituary or ‘all the fuss’.
Favourite flower: Asta Maria (a.k.a. Peruvian lily / Lily of the Incas)
Favourite curio: geckos
Musical Interests: The Voice and also Simon Cowell’s ‘Got Talent’ (where performers take the stage, ‘leaving-it-all-on-stage’ to give the performance of their lives)
Favourite poem (she had many): Autumn Leaves by LeRoy Peach
Adventures: Paddling up the Yukon to Dawson. Taking the Northern Ranger up the coast of Labrador. Husband Joe Laberge in tow.
Dearest Friends: Season and Céline
Legacy: “To burn always with this hard gemlike flame.”
Catherine set high standards for herself, was ‘always there’, generous in action and in words in her love for her family for her friends for the communities she served throughout her professional life. She had a ‘rare brilliant beautiful mind’, warm smile and would be ‘running’ in the mornings, the moment her feet hit the floor. Here for a short time. The world one hopes - is a better place. She is sorrowfully missed.
Thank you to the following:
· Rosie (her ginger cat). Rosie followed Cathy on walks everywhere!
· Cathy’s much-loved mom, Isabel (predeceased); father, Robert Allison (predeceased);
· Cathy’s loving families: sister, Colleen & husband, Louison; Tom Allison, Cathy’s brother; Margaret Bunn, Cathy’s younger sister and family (Brice Sr., adored nephews: Bricie, Matt and Jonathan)
· Father-in law, Hank /Henry Labarge (predeceased), Mother-in-law Gert/Trudy (predeceased)
· Sister-in-law: Karen Searle and family (Adrian, Kathleen); brother-in-law Maurice Labarge and family (Karen, Mike, Christine)
· The ‘Come-Home’ Family in Rose Blanche-Harbour-Le-Cou, NFLD (recently hit by Fiona)
· Lynne Sawford of RoseSea B&B, Rose Blanche, NFLD (predeceased)
· Jenny Jones for finding Rosie, inviting Cathy out to Lynne Miles’ concerts
· The Season Osborne Women’s Book Club (Season and Cathy were in Bob Rupert’s class)
· Caring neighbours in Breckenridge and the Pontiac
· Family at CHEO
· Family at DEC (Drug Exceptions Centre), Indigenous Services Canada
· Friends: in Victoria (Leigh-Ann), B.C, Alberta (Pam & gang), Amiga/amigo in Chile (Rebeca/Jorge); in the States (Huimin and Lyn)
· University of Ottawa – Heart Institute – Dr. Muir Boodhwani
· University of Ottawa – Cardiologist – Dr. Habibat Garuba
· McGill Univerity, Montreal, Oncology Radiology – Dr. Neil Kopek
· Palliative Care Team - Hull General Hospital, Gatineau
· Palliative Care Team – Mathieu Froment-Savoie Hospice, Gatineau
· G.P. Shawville, QC – Dr. Pascal Croteau
· Pharmacien-propriétaire, Ghassan Jamoul and his pharmacy staff (Pharmacienne Maryse et al)
Gracias a la vida!
Recueillement Light a candle for her if you will - another journey.
Catherine Louise Allison passed Thursday morning, December 15, 2022 at 7:50 am.
We met in Mendoza, Argentina back in the 90's, did weekend English campouts in my yard in Vista alba, Lujan de Cuyo.
Cathy was indeed a vibrant personality, enjoyed whatever she was pursuing at the time. I spent a visit with her and Joe in their home, and shared lots of deep spiritual talk and conversation.
Cathy you are loved very much and you will continue to receive that vibration from me. Carry on dear friend wherever you voyage in the spirit veil...
Ajo,
Dear Joe,
Oh friend! We just heard about Cathy. We are so sorry! We are thinking of you in this difficult time.
Huimin/Shiliang/Derek/Leah
Dear Joe,
Words cannot express how shocked and saddened we were when we heard of Cathy’s passing. We are sorry that we will no longer see her on her walks, earphones in, listening to her music, and Rosie following behind. Cathy was an integral part of our neighbourhood and she will certainly be missed.
Joe, we are here for you.
Sincere sympathy ……Anne and Ray
Our sincerest condolences on your loss, Cathy was truly an inspiring person.
We will miss our roadside conversations with Cathy, which always seemed to enlighten us in one way or another. Also, by taking Rosie for walks, she made us feel a lot less crazy about walking our own cat!
We are here for you, whenever you are ready dinner will be on the table - fresh herbs only.
Oh, Joe, I am stunned to hear about Cathy's passing! I just found out from Andra.
Cathy and I had lost touch over the years, yet I often thought of her and how she was doing. Please accept my deepest and heartfelt condolences. As they say in my faith, may her memory be as a blessing.
I am so, so sad and heartbroken to hear this. I will never forget her kindnesses, our sharing of CADTH gossip, our mutual love of books and writing, the lovely visits I'd have on your home in the Pontiac. Words are just so inadequate at a time like this. Please know that my thoughts are with you and her family and all the friends who loved her.
Be well,
Kinneret
Words can’t describe how sorry I am for Cathy’s passing. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Cathy was one of the most wonderful persons I ever met. I feel privileged to have know her and become her friend. For the past 20 years, Cathy was always beside me, generously providing many supports in almost each of my life chapters. She understood my tears and my happiness and cheer me up with her amazing positive/beautiful spirit. Her kindness, knowledge, and wisdom made people around her feel warm, inspired, and supported. She always says, “everything will be ok in the end and if it’s not ok it’s not the end”. She was the charming gardener who made our souls blossom.
Joe, Cathy is deeply missed here. We are always on the other end of the phone when you need us.
Cathy was incredibly beautiful in every sense. She had the most generous heart, sharp wit, deepest caring soul. I am infinitely grateful for her truly special friendship. I will miss her always.
Michael Weatherley
January 2, 2023 at 5:57 AM
After reading an old diary of mine, I tried connecting with Cathy. I didn’t expect it to be over this column. I met Cathy while hitchhiking in Queensland, March, 1983. Had such a memorable time travelling with Cathy. Cathy, so kindhearted and thoughtful, she even gave me a cheque to continue my travels in S/E Asia. (I never cashed it) Our paths entwined for a short while but left a lasting impression.
Michael (from England)
This news was so hard to hear. Time is so precious and so is family. We always think we have more time. More time to catch up, more time to share stories, more time to go for that cup of coffee.
Although our time with you was cut short, you will still live through our memories - the special holidays we shared together, as a younger me, counting all the geckos hiding around the home and as an older me cozied up by the fire. I remember sharing life updates, stories, opinions, going through pictures of your trips and your books. And of course all the while sipping your delicious mulled wine.
Reading this beautifully written obituary highlighting your amazing accomplishments and adventures that I will never get to sit down with you to pick apart makes me sad but also amazed at everything you have done. I know Uncle Joe will be telling the tales and I’ll be hearing your soft spoken voice through them.
I am thankful that we were able to speak not long ago. Hearing all the help you offered friends in Newfoundland really speaks volume of the kind of person you were. I am thankful that I was able to hear your voice one last time and I am thankful to have known someone like you in my lifetime.
May you rest in peace aunt Cathy.
All my love,
Christine
I am very saddened by the news of Cathy’s passing. I didn’t know before now and wanted to extend my deepest condolences to you and to Cathy’s family. I am truly sorry for your loss.