Catharine Ethel Mckinley

CATHARINE ETHEL McKINLEY

September 16, 1946 – December 21, 2023

Surrounded by her loving family, Catharine Ethel McKinley (Hill) soared home to the open arms

of her husband John, and her dear son David. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents Frank

and Phoebe Hill, along with her beloved brother Robert (Joan), her sister Beverly, and brother-

in-law, Jeremiah. Cathy will be welcomed home by many special friends.

Here on earth, Cathy will be missed immensely by her daughter Tamara, and son-in-law

Michael. She will be fondly remembered and missed by her daughter-in-law and friend Kaththea

(Sean). The memories and stories her grandchildren; Kylea (Ollie), Julia (Spencer), Phoebe,

Liam (Sara), John, and Justin, will share of their Nana will keep her legacy living and her spirit

alive and preserved. Each of them uniquely filled her heart.

Cathy was an integral part of the Hill family. She made the effort to stay connected to her

siblings. She was so fortunate to have a life of unconditional love and support from each of them.

There will always be a piece missing in the lives of her brothers Roland (Helen) and William

(Shelley), and her sister and best friend Marilyn (Joe). Cathy has many nieces and nephews that

will feel a deep loss with her passing. She had true connections with each of them as they grew.

She was present in their lives, and they were in hers. How fortunate she was. Her passing will be

felt for generations that follow.

Cathy was born in Grimsby, Ontario. Her growing up years were spent on Jones Road in

Winona. Growing up in the Hill family was full of love, music and friendship. Her parents, Frank

and Phoebe were giving people. They would open their hearts and home to anyone in need.

Cathy learned young to take care of others. She grew to believe that what is in your heart makes

your family. Cathy carried this throughout her life. Her friends became family. These friendships

sustained her throughout her life.

Cathy met and married John in 1967. He doted on his new bride for 34 years until his passing,

July 5, 2001. John loved Cathy with all he had and she returned his love. Together they had 2

beautiful children David and Tamara. Cathy was a stay at home mom and was a foster parent for

children in need when her children were young. Once they began school, Cathy worked at Sears

in Hamilton, close to the new home her and John had purchased. After leaving Sears, Cathy

began work at Newman steel, now Samuel Plate Steel. During her 32 career, Cathy quickly rose

to supervisor of shipping and receiving. She retired in 2011. Here Cathy met many of her

lifelong friends. She was giving of her heart and loved her friends without judgment.

Cathy had an active social life. She loved going to Bluegrass festivals to watch her brother

perform and dance with her sisters. She liked her beer and Tito’s vodka. She enjoyed playing

cards, road trips to Ompah, Powassan, casinos and get togethers with the BEAVERS. She had

trips from the east coast of Canada to the west coast of Canada. She sailed on a cruise ship, flew

on a plane, and put her feet in a few different oceans. She enjoyed girls weekends and fishing,

but most of all she enjoyed being home.

Home for Cathy changed 18 years ago when she sold the home she shared with John. She moved

back to Grimsby, with her brother Bill and wife Shelly. These 18 years prove to be some of the

best for Cathy after losing John in 2001 and losing her son David in 2015. The support from her

family was what she needed. Living with family, she felt safe and loved.

Life did throw Cathy heartbreak. She handled her losses with such strength and dignity. Losing

John and David put a crack in her heart that would not heal. She did her best to enjoy life without

them and did a remarkable job. She continued to be an inspiration and a beacon of strength. She

stayed present in our lives and continued to give her love.

Cathy has no regret about how she lived her life. Nothing left unsaid or unfinished. She was at

peace with her fate and made the best of a terrible situation. She was strong and brave and kept

her faith until the end. She expressed her love and gratitude to all in her life, and wants to be

remembered with smiles, not tears. She was ready to heal her heart and be with her one love;

John and her beautiful boy David. She will be missed, loved and remembered by all who knew

her.

As Cathy would say:

“LOVE YOU MORE’

XXOO