Catherine McCloskey Gave us Love and kindness for 100 Memorable Years and everyone she touched was better for knowing her

Catherine McCloskey had a unique and wonderful life. She was positive, kind, loving, and a guiding light to all she touched. She was spectacular!!

Catherine was born on December 31, 1917 on a small farm in Whitford Alberta Canada to Immigrants of Ukrainian descent who were given a homestead to settle the land. It was small farm where they grew Wheat, raised chickens for eggs, and had a small number of animals for meat and milk.

There was no electricity and little money. Life was difficult on the farm. The planted wheat was completely dependent on the weather and the quality of the seeds. Crops were tilled with a horse a plow, animals needed to be fed in the morning and evenings, cows needed to be milked, and eggs needed to be harvested from the chicken coup.

This shaped her beginnings. She understood hard work, love of family, and how her family wanted her to have a better life. Her mother was a great mom who taught her about life. Her dad was self-educated, well read, and learned to speak English on his own volition.

Her parents provided the basis for a better life. When she first went to school, she was unable to speak English. Early on she would take the horse and buggy to school, we are talking about the 1920"s. Canadian winters can be harsh, but she persevered. She got up in the morning, worked the farm, went to school, did chores, and studied with no electricity.

Mom started school at the age of 8, graduated at 20 from High School and Nursing School at 23. Oh my goodness, the stories about the nuns.

So now she is a Registered nurse. Can you imagine, born in 1917, raised on a farm, went to school on a horse and buggy, then to college and graduated in 1930 as an RN.

This is a spectacular woman, raised by great parents, and now embarking on her new journey.

Catherine had a successful nursing career, and met her husband James on a blind date. They married in 1948. Catherine and James were married for 54 years until his passing in 2002.

We had many great memories as a family. Included were our trips to Canada to that small farm in Whitford. Catherine and James would load up our nine passenger station wagon with their seven kids and off we were. We would camp along the way, finally arriving to where she was raised.

The stories we were told about the farm, the vegetable garden, the animals, the chicken coup and barn all came to life. However, she did though forget to mention the out-house!!

Catherine was a great role model for everyone she touched. She gave the world seven children, 18 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. On January 1, 2018 we were able to celebrate her 100 ^th birthday with her. Her friends, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were all in attendance in tribute to this remarkable lady.

Catherine passed on Monday February 19, 2018 in the home where she raised all of us kids. Everyone will miss this remarkable woman, but her legacy will last and she will forever be our guiding light.

Born:  December 31, 2017

Died:  February 19, 2018

Survived by:            Son Leo, Daughter Cathy, Daughter Debbie, Daughter Joy, Son Michael, Son George, Daughter Claire, Grandchildren 18, Great Grandchildren 5

She excelled in school and was a top student.