It is with great sadness that on the morning of December 9, 2023, Cathy Matthews passed away at the age of 64, peacefully at home, with her family by her side.
Cathy was beloved wife of her husband Tim and mother of two children, Stuart, Gillian (Matthew) and grandson Atticus. She survived by her mother Rosa and siblings Joe (Lana), Enza (Ron), Ernesta and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Cathy was predeceased by her father Ugo and in-laws Jean and Stuart Matthews.
Cathy was born, Caterina Rizzuto on May 18th 1959, in a small village in Calabria, Italy. She was named after her paternal grandmother Caterina (Calfa) Rizzuto. Cathy’s first seven years were spent in a peaceful village called Pedivigliano, in the hills of Calabria Italy, where she enjoyed a wonderful childhood surrounded by family and the simple things of life.
In 1966 her family immigrated to Canada where they joined many other families from the Pedivigliano area. They travelled to Canada by ship, named Leonardo DaVinci, from Naples Italy to Halifax NS. From Halifax they traveled by train to Fort William. Cathy attended St Jude’s School and began her love of sport and fitness. She later attended St Patrick’s Junior High and Selkirk High School. While at high school Cathy worked at the Royal Edward Hotel. After graduation she attended Lakehead University and later the University of Western Ontario in London, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in sociology. She later worked at the Airlane Hotel where she met her future husband Tim.
Throughout the years, Cathy had a passion for hosting her friends and family and enjoyed setting a themed table. She took pride in decorating and entertaining for her guests. Before starting a family, Cathy spent a year living abroad with her husband Tim in Stockholm Sweden. She frequently travelled back to Europe with her family while also visiting countries in Central America, South America, Asia and Australia. Cathy worked for almost 30 years as an adjudicator and later as a Manager at WSIB and was very close to her coworkers.
She enjoyed shopping and was very proud of her flower and shrub gardens at home and the lakehouse. Throughout the years Cathy always found time to workout and exercise. She was a member of the hiking club and enjoyed lifting weights, running, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service, which will be held at Sargent and Son Funeral Home, 21 North Court St. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. There will also be an informal celebration of life at Hicks Lake on Saturday, July 6th, 2024.
