Catherine May Corrigan Smith passed away peacefully, holding the hands of family, on May 28, 2024, a few days after her celebrating her 93rd birthday.

She created a lifetime of wonderful memories and experiences for her children Alan (Janice) and Kathryn (Scott), her grandchildren Steven, Jennifer (Luke), Melanie, Claire (Alex) and Cheryl, and her great grandchildren Abby, Audrey, Stella and Wyatt.

Family meant everything to Catherine and she put the interests of her family first and foremost throughout her whole life. It defined her life from an early age. We are blessed for the lives she helped us to create together.

Born in Scotland in 1931, Catherine grew up in a family of seven, during a challenging time of economic depression, war and its aftermath. Circumstances meant she had to take on responsibilities in her family at a young age, which seems unbelievable to us today.

These early years created a lifelong bond of shared experiences with her brothers David, Norman, Harry, Jimmy and Warren and her beloved sister Joan. At a time when material possessions were few, they always looked after each other and managed to have a huge amount of fun.

They were the closest of family and she loved each of them very much. Whenever they were together, they would recount countless stories of fun and laughter from those days.

Catherine left Scotland, with her two young children, for opportunity in Canada in 1964.

It was a big step. As for all new Canadians, it wasn’t always easy. With her relentless drive and energy, she created a wonderful life for us here in Canada. She worked hard to give her children the things that she never had growing up. All we have today stems from the opportunity she created for us and from her putting us first.

Catherine devoted herself to being part of the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved nothing more than being with them. Right from their moment of birth, she developed an extraordinary closeness with each of them. She loved each of them dearly and was so proud of them all.

Whether it was day to day life, a special event or vacation, Catherine was always with her family. She wanted nothing more. She was appreciative of every moment and often spoke of how blessed she felt that we all spent so much time together.

Known for her positive approach to life, she had boundless energy and rolled her sleeves up to get the job done. There was no challenge she wasn’t willing to take on.

She placed importance on appearance, manners and kindness to others. She took great pride in keeping an immaculate home. She was warm and welcoming, and spared no effort to make family and friends feel comfortable and special in her home. All who knew her can recall so many wonderful times spent with her.

Catherine lived independently until just a few months ago, maintaining her home in exceptional fashion before moving to Amica Pickering. Our family is grateful to the team there as well as those who cared for her at Ajax Pickering Hospital.

Catherine had deep faith and an unswerving belief in God, who she called upon for guidance throughout her life. Though heartbroken at leaving us, she looked forward to being reunited in Heaven with her sister, brothers and Mom and Dad.

Catherine, we now have to live in a world without you. Our time with you has been a blessing and we thank you for all that you did in our lives. We will miss you and will be forever thinking of you. Thank you for loving us so much.

Our family will celebrate Catherine’s life privately this summer.