April 29, 1955, Midland, Ont. – January 17, 2023, Canmore, Alberta
Catherine “Cathy” Lee Kerr (nee Fitzgerald) of Canmore, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the age of 67 years.
Cathy touched many people in her life as a counsellor, human resources specialist, hotel manager, volunteer and valued friend. She mentored numerous young people and made many lifelong friends shown by the love and support of so many, especially in her final months of treatment and care.
Cathy grew up on Georgian Bay and loved the outdoors; she enjoyed fishing, hiking, and skiing. Her dream came true, when she decided to relocate "out west" to the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. She found home in Canmore and with her work family at Buffalo Mountain Lodge. She will be sorely missed by her incredible community of cherished friends, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts team, and especially Bart and Cathy Robinson, Kajappiragash (Piragash) Pooranachandran and the O'Connor family, after more than 20 years of partnership.
An avid photographer, Cathy shot, produced, and printed an annual coffee table book of her Mountain photos, which her family and friends greatly anticipated. An accomplished musician, Cathy played piano, organ, sang and was in demand in her younger years at the church and in performances accompanying soloists. Looking to retire and relax, she was challenged by Cancer and faced this with such strength and determination. Loved and remembered by many, a tribute to a life well lived however shortened.
Cathy is survived by her mother Barbara Nikel of Toronto, ON; brother Michael (Tracie Oliver) of Pasadena, CA; sisters, Barbara (Dr. Malcolm Moore) of Caledon, ON, and Beverley (Ron Laugher) of Calgary; niece of Donald and Ursula Chase of Peterborough, and Betty Fitzgerald of Willowick, OH; much-loved aunt of Matthew (Jennifer Howe) of Edmonton, Katie (Scott La Buick) of Edmonton, and Jack (Monique Rivard) of Kingston, ON. She is also fondly remembered by all extended family in Canada and the USA.
Cathy was predeceased by her father Martin Fitzgerald in 1978; stepfather John Nikel in 2008; and brother Patrick in 2019.
“She lived, she loved, she’ll be remembered”
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies (2 Silvertip Trail, Canmore, AB) on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. Reception to follow at the Church. Interment will be held in the spring, in her beloved hometown of Midland, Ontario on her shores of “The Bay”. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Cathy’s memory may be made to Canmore & Area Health Care Foundation, 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore, AB T1W 1N2, Telephone: 403-678-4358, https://canmorehealthfoundation.com/donate/.
In living memory of Catherine Kerr, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
