Obituary of Catherine Hurst

Catherine Hurst (nee Flynn)

Cathy passed away on December 2nd, 2017 at Markham Stouffville Hospital at the age of 81. Born Elsie Catherine to Agnes and Jack Flynn on January 16, 1936, she cherished her family heritage but couldn’t abide having the same name as a dairy company mascot. She dropped the Elsie as soon as she was old enough and will forever be known as Cathy, Aunt Cathy, Mom or Gramma. She is survived by her loving and patient husband Bill and her children Mary Kay Marciano (Mimmo), Joe MacNeil, Jean Godawa (Mike), Bernie MacNeil (Tracy), and Paula Caruana (Chris). Cathy loved her grandchildren Michael, Rob, Lily, Madeline, Tania, William and Daniel and her beautiful great-granddaughter Khaleesi. She is also survived by her sister Mary, many nieces, nephews, extended family, and special family members Mitch Hurst (Kim), Shawn Hurst (Nancy) and Lori Mackintosh (Gerry).

Cathy’s career as a music teacher and later as a speech and language specialist with the Toronto Catholic District School Board spanned over 35 years. In retirement she worked for the Toronto Public Library and volunteered with Markham Stouffville Hospital. Besides her family, Cathy treasured her many friendships with childhood friends, school mates, colleagues, neighbours, and bridge and book club members.

Her tenacious and stubborn nature allowed her to thrive for 18 years with leukemia - long enough to travel, spend time at the cottage and see her grandchildren grow into adults.

Although her family will not miss her sometimes questionable cooking, they will greatly miss her exceptional sense of humor, her kindness, her insight and her wisdom. She has left us with an abundance of wonderful memories.

Visitation will take place at Dixon-Garland Funeral Home, 166 Main St. N., Markham on Wednesday, December 6th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral to be held at St. Patrick’s Parish, 5633 Highway 7, Markham on Thursday December 7th at 10 a.m. followed by a reception at the church. Interment will be private.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, and since Cathy lost her father, two brothers and nephew to leukemia, the family would be pleased with a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada or to ShareLife if you so desire.