On Dec. 4 2019, surrounded by loved ones, Catherine Anne Saunders-Wilson peacefully slipped away far too soon from this beautiful world.
Cathy was born on Oct. 30, 1951 in Fort Frances to Jean and Fraser Cuthbertson.
y was a true Northern Ontario girl; her siblings, Marilyn (Larry), Jim (Kathy), and Doug (Sue), grew up in Fort Frances and spent many great summers at the Rocky Inlet cabin on Rainy Lake.
Cathy graduated from nursing school at McKellar Hospital in Thunder Bay in 1970 as a registered practical nurse. She then moved to Toronto, embarking upon what would be a long and rewarding career in nursing.
She married Brian Telfer and had three loving, brilliant, and dynamic children; Amanda (Jon), Skye (Andrew), and Bryant (Lauren).
Cathy’s adventure continued after she and Brian parted ways; she married David Saunders, gaining two stepsons Craig (Arlie) and Stuart (Jenny) to love.
Sadly, David passed away after a short illness in 2010 after over 25 years together.
Cathy’s adventure was not done yet though! Through a series of happy accidents, Cathy met Wayne Wilson.
It was love at first sight for both of them and they soon became inseparable; true soulmates and partners.
They happily married in a beautiful and emotional celebration of their love in 2015.
Cathy was overjoyed to gain more stepchildren to love; Rebecca (Fallon), Grant (Micah) and Graham (Mary).
In Cathy’s wedding vows to Wayne, she said, “I will love you through thick and thin and home renovations. Forever.”
She meant every word of that, as years of home renovations later Cathy and Wayne remained the happy couple that every love story hopes to be.
Cathy’s legacy is the love, courage, inspiration, and joy of life that she shared with her blended families, including: husband, Wayne; late husbands, Brian (Helena) and David; three children/spouses, five stepchildren/spouses, 20 grandchildren/spouses, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; and past daughter-in-law, Lori Cowx (David).
Cathy was always known for her loving, caring, kind, generous, adventurous, fun loving, strong and rebellious (in a good way) spirit.
She excelled at: nursing care, gardening, home renovations, interior decorations, fishing, fashion/style and for being the best mother, wife, sister, daughter. mother-in-law, and friend.
Cathy’s zest for life and love shone like the sun.
We are honoured to have been loved by her and we will all miss this truly beautiful woman.
Cathy’s Celebration of Life will be held on Dec. 29 from 2-6 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 445 St. Vincent Street in Barrie, Ont.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage that donations be made to Simcoe Hospice or Royal Victoria Hospital Cancer Centre in Cathy’s name.
