Obituary of Catherine MacInnes

B I O G R A P H Y MACINNES: Catherine Jane Fisher passed away in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Center, Lloydminster, Alberta on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the age of 98 years. Catherine is survived by three children: Kathleen and her husband Ed Gendall of Cut Knife, Marion and her husband Byron Keebaugh of Lloydminster, Andrew MacInnes and his wife Diane of Spruce Grove; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; Half-brother George Doherty, one half sister Madge Olson and one sister-in-law Mary MacInnes of Richmond, BC. Catherine was predeceased by her husband on January 18, 1974 and her infant son in 1939. The funeral service for Catherine was conducted from St. Columbia Roman Catholic Church, Clandonald, Alberta on Friday, December 14, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Father Stan Lasko officiating. A eulogy was given by Marion Keebaugh, Robyn Lillico and Ginny Gendall. The hymns sung were “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Morning Has Broken,” “In The Garden,” and “How Great Thou Art,” accompanied by organist Lorna Garnier, soloist Marghread Axe and piper Margaret Swanstrom. Honorary pallbearers were all those who shared in her life. Active pallbearers were grandchildren: Peter MacInnes, Brian MacInnes, Michael MacInnes, Reid Keebaugh, Robyn Lillico and Laurie McLeod. Interment followed in the Clandonald Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY A Celebration Of Life For “The Nicest Lady I Ever Knew” Catherine Jane Fisher MacInnes (Nana). Mom was born in Coatbridge, Scotland in 1909 the eldest of 5 children: Bill, Margaret, Emily and John. Her father died when she was only 13, so she became a care giver at an early age. (Helping to raise her siblings). Her life’s calling was family and tending to their needs. Mom and her sister Margaret worked in the large tourist hotels in Scotland. They loved their work and were good workers. So they were hired to work the winter months as well. They were very proud to borrow a stamp and send their pay cheques home intact. Grandma married John Doherty and they had 3 children: Madge, George and Evelyn. The family immigrated to Canada and settled in the Clandonald area. Here mom met dad (Neilie MacInnes) and they had 4 children. Kathleen (Ginny), Angus, Marion and Andrew. Sadly Angus died before he was 3. Dad worked for the Scottish Immigration Society in Clandonald. Later he was employed by the C.P.R. land division and we moved to Wilkie, Saskatchewan. Mom and Dad also lived in Lloydminster, North Battleford and Indian Head. When Dad died in 1974 Mom came to lived with us in Lloydminster. What a blessing for our family, as she helped to raise Reid, Robyn and Byron! She liked travelling and we did a lot to newspaper conventions across Canada. In Cape Breton she gazed across the ocean and said “I think I can see Scotland from here.” When asked if she would like to go, she replied “I’d rather go to Hawaii”, so we did. Arizona was her favourite, she enjoyed our friends and activities. Especially walking “Coyote” (family dog) around the block. Mom loved visiting family: Edy, Ginny and Laurie on their farm. Later with the great grandchildren Breanna, Jesse and McKayla. In Spruce Grove with Andy, Diane and thier 3 sons: Scot, Brian, Michael and wife Wendy. In Lloydminster with Reid, Arlene, Bailey and Trinity. Also Robyn, Troy, Payden, Pyper and Ty. She enjoyed her friends and staff at Fellowship Village, Dr. Hemstock, Dr. Cooke Extended Care. They will remember Mom as “the lady with the hat”, twinkle in her eye, wiggle of her hips walking her red walker down the halls. Robyn shared happy memories of Nana, “Walking the old people around the block, when she was 85 ish”. Hiking down the view of point hill. Helping to pick Robyn’s dog Spencer. Giving her history for a supplement Robyn was writing for the paper. Ginny recalled fun times on the farm. “Like thinking she was sharing the road to the garden with a horse, actually was a “bull moose”! Memories of Mom’s singing and dancing abilities. CARD OF THANKS The family of Catherine MacInnes would like to express gratitude for the care given to Mom at Dr. Hemstock and Dr. Cooke. Thank you to Reverend Father Stan Lasko, organist, soloist and piper for the service. To all the friends who shared in her life. Special thanks to McCaw Funeral Service for their kindness and professional care. The MacInnes Family Donations in memory of Catherine may be made to the Dr. Cooke Extended Care or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.