In memory of
Catherine Giffin
June 25, 1956 - August 14, 2025
It is with a heavy heart that we share that Catherine (Cathy) Elizabeth Giffin (nee Duguid) passed away on August 14th, 2025. Cathy was born in Toronto on June 25th, 1956, to Robert and Evelyn Duguid, alongside her two older sisters, Janet and Debbie. Cathy was raised in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood, attending Whitney Public School and Jarvis Collegiate.
Growing up, she was known for her inclusiveness, spunk, and sense of adventure.
Cathy loved her family deeply, always helping her father at one of Toronto’s finest butcher stores, James D. Duguid, located at 1258 Yonge Street. Cathy grew up gallivanting around the city of Toronto with her friends and sisters. There are almost too many stories to recount, but she loved her city dearly and everything and everyone that came along with it. Including driving around Toronto in her Beetle with the license plate, CURLY.
Cathy blessed the world with two beautiful daughters, Alexandra Giffin (Philip Randall) and Meghan Giffin (Andrew Movrin), with her former husband, William (Bill) Giffin.
Cathy’s love of adventure led her to become a Travel Agent at Peter Brown Travel and Merit Travel for many years. Throughout her life, she had the privilege of travelling the world, forever recounting stories from across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, and more. After her travel career, she became a dedicated stay-at-home mom.
Cathy took care of her family in Toronto’s Lawrence Park and at their cottages in Muskoka for many years. She took such great care of each property with her love for gardening, hosting, and cooking. Each weekend, a full feast was prepared for friends and family, who were welcomed day or night with open arms. She was a fierce Euchre and Gin player and an even fiercer chef. She spent so much time cooking the world’s best meals, proudly learning from her mentor, Bonnie Stern.
Cathy also loved to swim, golf, take boat rides, read, travel (Florida & Jamaica, specifically), dine out, shop, watch movies (The Holiday was her favourite), and her “shows” (soap operas), decorate for any holiday or birthday, and loved dogs deeply including her Bernese Moutain Dogs Tucker and Dublin. She even grew up showing her family’s Airedales at dog shows.
Cathy’s two daughters and grandson, William (Alexandra & Philip), were her sun, moon, and stars. She put them first over everyone and everything. She loved them deeply, and her positive and carefree outlook on life will forever be ingrained in each of them.
Her laugh, her hugs, and her love of life are deeply missed. We would do anything to have her back. We take comfort in knowing Cathy is reunited with her favourite people, her Mom and Dad.
Cathy’s daughters, family, and friends extend the most gratitude to the K-Wing doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital, including the Palliative Care Team, notably Margaret, Tigit, and Dr. Davey.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood to the Canadian Blood Services. The family will hold a private cremation ceremony as well as host a Celebration of Life in honour of Cathy on September 7, 2025, at The Miller Tavern (3885 Yonge St, North York) from 1:00-4:00 PM.
Growing up, she was known for her inclusiveness, spunk, and sense of adventure.
Cathy loved her family deeply, always helping her father at one of Toronto’s finest butcher stores, James D. Duguid, located at 1258 Yonge Street. Cathy grew up gallivanting around the city of Toronto with her friends and sisters. There are almost too many stories to recount, but she loved her city dearly and everything and everyone that came along with it. Including driving around Toronto in her Beetle with the license plate, CURLY.
Cathy blessed the world with two beautiful daughters, Alexandra Giffin (Philip Randall) and Meghan Giffin (Andrew Movrin), with her former husband, William (Bill) Giffin.
Cathy’s love of adventure led her to become a Travel Agent at Peter Brown Travel and Merit Travel for many years. Throughout her life, she had the privilege of travelling the world, forever recounting stories from across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, and more. After her travel career, she became a dedicated stay-at-home mom.
Cathy took care of her family in Toronto’s Lawrence Park and at their cottages in Muskoka for many years. She took such great care of each property with her love for gardening, hosting, and cooking. Each weekend, a full feast was prepared for friends and family, who were welcomed day or night with open arms. She was a fierce Euchre and Gin player and an even fiercer chef. She spent so much time cooking the world’s best meals, proudly learning from her mentor, Bonnie Stern.
Cathy also loved to swim, golf, take boat rides, read, travel (Florida & Jamaica, specifically), dine out, shop, watch movies (The Holiday was her favourite), and her “shows” (soap operas), decorate for any holiday or birthday, and loved dogs deeply including her Bernese Moutain Dogs Tucker and Dublin. She even grew up showing her family’s Airedales at dog shows.
Cathy’s two daughters and grandson, William (Alexandra & Philip), were her sun, moon, and stars. She put them first over everyone and everything. She loved them deeply, and her positive and carefree outlook on life will forever be ingrained in each of them.
Her laugh, her hugs, and her love of life are deeply missed. We would do anything to have her back. We take comfort in knowing Cathy is reunited with her favourite people, her Mom and Dad.
Cathy’s daughters, family, and friends extend the most gratitude to the K-Wing doctors and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital, including the Palliative Care Team, notably Margaret, Tigit, and Dr. Davey.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood to the Canadian Blood Services. The family will hold a private cremation ceremony as well as host a Celebration of Life in honour of Cathy on September 7, 2025, at The Miller Tavern (3885 Yonge St, North York) from 1:00-4:00 PM.
Funeral Details
Show location:
Celebration of Life
The Miller Tavern
3885 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, CANADA, M4N 2P2
Get Directions
Sunday, 7 Sep 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM