CATHERINE ANNE JOHNSTON
(nee Hallock) January 6, 1951 - May 31, 2011
Surrounded by family, Cathy passed peacefully into the arms of her mother on May 31, 2011 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC, having courageously battled a short but fierce bout with colorectal cancer and kidney failure.
Cathy was born in Vanderhoof, BC and was the eldest daughter of Clarence G. “Bud” and Ruth M. Hallock.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Dave Johnston of Kamloops; her daughter Tara Johnston and granddaughter Jasmine Johnston, also of Kamloops; son Jason Johnston of Cumberland, BC; father Clarence G. “Bud” Hallock (Rose) and brothers Raymond (Bernie) and Tom (Bernadette) Hallock, all of Terrace, BC; brother Earl (Bonnie) Oddstad of Vancouver, BC; sisters Shelley and Laurie Hallock, both of Kamloops and sister Ruth (John) Smit of Gibsons, BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Cathy is predeceased by her mother Ruth and her sister Holly.
She was always a music lover and led friends and family in many sing-alongs over the years. As a young woman she was very active in community theatre productions in Terrace and in Flin Flon, MB. She went on a world tour with the Elgar Choir when she was 13 years old. Highlights of that trip were command performances for the Queen Mother and the King of Siam. She continued her singing and was at one time a member of the Lions Gate Chorus of Sweet Adelines. Cathy was thrilled and never forgot those experiences. Cathy’s harmony will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Cathy enjoyed a quiet place with a good book... or visiting on Laurie’s deck with a glass of wine. She most recently decided we would hold Sisters’ Margarita Fridays. These afternoons would be a time for giggles and reflections. Cathy had a great scientific mind and her intellectually stimulating conversations were always interesting and often shared with sisters on these brief afternoons.
Cathy’s love of travel took her to most of the European countries, Africa, India, Thailand, Asia, Hawaii and most recently, Mexico. She is remembered as having said on her trip to Mexico in February ... “It doesn’t get any better than this.”
She was the matriarch of her family and will be missed every day but the memories and lessons she has left behind will forever be a guiding light in her loved ones. Cathy is gone from our lives too early and she will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Cathy’s honour Saturday, June 18th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Kamloops Convention Centre.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made in Cathy’s honour to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice, #72 Whiteshield Crescent, Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9 or to the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism, 1111 Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, BC, V2B 3J8.