EULO-BITUARY (EULOBIT)

Catherine McCulloch Rock (nee Connelly)

28 January 1948 – 23 October 2022

 

On Sunday 23 October 2022, we said our final farewell to Catherine as she passed peacefully from our loving arms to her beloved Bob in a reunion that will be one for the ages.  We are deeply saddened by the profound loss of our Mother and best friend but are comforted by knowing that she joins her soulmate (Robert (Bob) Rock) for eternity.

Catherine is survived by her two loving daughters Margaret Heather (Robin) Simon, Jean Grey McCulloch, twin grandchildren Hayden Catherine and Rylan Robert all of Medicine Hat, one son Robert (estranged), three nieces and a nephew (Jane, Sarah and Peter Connelly all of Medicine Hat and Carol (Brad) Henkel of Calgary, as well as relatives and friends in Scotland and many friends and acquaintances in Canada.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob (2016), son-in-law Patrick Volk (2018), the Father of her children Robert McCulloch (2013), her parents Jeannie (1980) and Peter (1993), her Father and Mother in-law Bobby (1986) and Margaret (2008), sister-in-law Sandra (2003), all in Canada and several relatives in Scotland.

Catherine and her only sibling, elder brother Peter Connelly, both in rapid and recent declining health, followed one another from Medicine Hat Regional Hospital to Carmel Hospice, St. Joseph’s Home, where he followed his wee sister to the gates of heaven 41 hours after her passing.  Many of us believed Catherine had to have a wee word at the gates to get Peter in. lol.

The adventure of Catherine’s life began on 28 Jan 1948 in Glasgow, Scotland where she arrived in such a hurry, her Father was forced to deliver her at home. She sprinkled her Da upon arrival and he affectionately called her “Skoot” from that day forward.  Catherine graduated high school at age 15 and began her work/training in the chemist (pharmacy) and later in the Cigarette factory to earn extra money for Canada.  Catherine Connelly married Robert McCulloch (21 October 1967) and five days later (at the tender age of 19) sailed across the Atlantic to Winnipeg, Manitoba where the Canadian Dynasty was born.

The next decade would see the arrival of their 3 children and the immigration of her parents, in-laws, her brother & family and Robert’s cousin (William Allen). Catherine was a wonderful and intuitive mother.  Any day of the week she would rather have stayed home to enjoy their company; she always said she found them to be the most interesting and fun company.  This tradition continued into adulthood with regular and very late nights/mornings, with her girls, who were her two very best friends.  She also had a very close and loving relationship with her eldest niece Jane Connelly.

In 1976 Catherine moved her family to Medicine Hat to be closer to her brother Peter and his family and shortly after arriving Robert and Catherine opened Scotty’s Glass Ltd in Medicine Hat.  Following the 80’s recession, Catherine accepted a position at the Glass Factory in Redcliff where she worked (really, really hard!) until its closure, when she refocused her efforts on the social work training, she had begun in Scotland.  Catherine worked in the Young Offenders Unit at the Medicine Hat Remand Centre, a position she truly loved.  In fact, this is where she was introduced to her future son-in-law Patrick (following a grad prank gone wrong).  Her love for him never wavered throughout the years.

Following the sudden loss of her Father-in-law in 1986, Catherine and her Mother-in-law Meg, began a dedicated and committed Bingo patronage, lol.  They were together so often most people thought Meg was her Mother instead of her Mother-in-law.  They shared a special relationship and Catherine also saw Meg through her Cancer Treatments 93/94 and later when her health failed to her passing in 2008.

In July 1990 her Father Peter relocated from Winnipeg to live with the family after struggling with Korsakoff’s Syndrome (a memory disorder).  As forced Bosom Buddies (while Catherine was at Bingo) Peter joined his son-in-law at his various watering holes over the next 3 years.  Often when it was Robert’s round, he was not at the table, and bedlam ensued between the two, resulting in Peter heading out to the Parking Lot to wait in the car.  Most often he was found in someone else’s car! Lol.

Catherine has been a quiet hero in our community for over two decades.  She never sought credit, limelight or accolades for any of her contributions.  Catherine always felt the calling of her civic duty, to give back to the community which she held so dear and especially for those who were unable to help themselves.

Her list of volunteer activities was staggering, but below are just a few:

Palliser Health Council, Medicine Hat Community Drug Council, Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program (ACB), Alberta Future Summit, Provincial Anti-Poverty Coalition.

Family & Community Support Services (FCSS), Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter, Children’s Services Committee, Healthy Communities Committee, Schizophrenia Society.

Of particular note, Catherine worked on educating all Albertans about Cervical Cancer by being an intrinsic part of the team that produced information pamphlets and introduced the letter that now accompanies screening results for women. The same format now applies to other cancer screening programs and is beneficial to everyone in the province for accurate early detection.

Catherine advocated on behalf of Medicine Hat’s youth, poor, homeless and the mentally ill through her volunteer efforts and employment positions as Executor Director of the Schizophrenia Society and as an ILS (Independent Living Skills) worker for Alberta Mental Health.  She assisted hundreds of people with mental illness and their families to improve their lives through education about mental illness and how to cope with their disorders (including educating grade 11 CALM Classes, as a regular guest speaker for various programs within the Medicine Hat College and support groups like “Unsung Heroes”).

Catherine was extremely dedicated to her Schizophrenia Consumers and ILS Clients in that, even after she retired, she would still write letters, advocate on their behalf, and even complete their income tax returns.  As an aside, Alberta Mental Health no longer employs ILS workers, and we would argue that evidence of Catherine’s portfolio is literally, living on the streets.

Catherine was presented with the 2009 Civic Recognition Humanitarian Award by the City of Medicine Hat and presented with the Personal Care Award for “Exemplary Provision of Mental Health Services” by the Canadian Mental Health Association in 2004.  As well as being nominated twice for the National Exceptional Staff Award by the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, in 2005 and 2007.

Catherine chose to retire early to take care of her beloved Bob who was in failing health.  Even though his decline lasted for 3 years they managed to enjoy each other immensely, despite the challenges.  They were two peas in a pod, the love of each other’s life and Bobs wish finally came true when Catherine became his wife.  Following Bob’s passing in 2016 (just 7 weeks after their wedding), Catherine taught her family how to grieve.  She could have been bitter and cynical (that after finally finding the love of her life he was taken from her so quickly), but she was not.  Catherine always stayed in gratitude, grateful for the time they had, the love they shared, the memories they made and the reunion she knew would take place.

Following the loss of Bob, Catherine was again invited into the Bosom of the Simon family and was included in family celebrations and vacations.  In particular, the Annual Simon Summer Vacation in Penticton.  Catherine, Margaret, Jean, and the twins enjoyed an extended BC Holiday in 2018 and made some fabulous memories together.  Catherine who is afraid of water and cannot swim enjoyed seadoos’, boating and her favourite, the float down the canal.

Travel became her new passion and she travelled with her girls to the Moose Jaw Spa, Ottawa, Halifax, Las Vegas and Mexico.

In particular, 2019 was a grand travel year for Catherine with trips to Puerto Vallarta, New York City and the Epic Family Vacation to Europe.  Catherine and her daughter Margaret were invited to New York City by her chosen Grandson, Tyler Johnson (who she affectionately called Big Red) to celebrate his 30^th Birthday.  It was one of the highlights of her life and she loved everything about the Big Apple including all of Tyler’s friends and family that participated in the celebrations.  It is true what they say, New York is the City that never sleeps, and neither did Catherine.  It took a month to recover from this 2-week holiday.  We will never forget how she accosted Susan Sarandon in her limo, the theatre critiques at Juniors after Broadway shows or her new friend Miss Chandelier (7 ft drag queen).

Next up was the 5 Week Epic Family Vacation to Europe which included 3 weeks in her native homeland of Glasgow, Scotland where she proudly introduced her grandchildren to her extended family and friends, and also revisited her past.  Catherine also ‘checked off’ items from her bucket list with a trip to London, Paris (Jim Morrison’s Grave) and Edinburgh (Royal Military Tattoo).  The trip was once in a lifetime and the wee tribe was made even closer by the reconnection to their roots, the infinite memories made, and all the new friends made along the way.

Catherine finished her pre Covid Globetrotting with a cruise to Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong in January 2020 as the family holiday planned for Mexico was cancelled in March 2020 due to Covid.

Although Covid was a very difficult time for the world, her tribe became closer and stronger due to the opportunities for down time and bonding with her daughters and grandchildren.  For 2 years the twins were home schooled, transitioning between Catherine’s (Nana), Margaret’s (Auntie) and Jean’s (home) to accommodate Jean’s shift work schedule.

Catherine said numerous times the 2019 travel reminiscences sustained all of us through Covid.

Of all of Catherine’s roles in life, Nana is the one she cherished the most.  It began with Catherine being present in the delivery room and cutting the cord, to her being part of every event from that day forward.  Catherine’s home was “Club Nana”, an all-inclusive spa that her grandchildren cherished.  A place where they wanted for nothing, were doted on and were loved beyond measure.  It was a mutual love affair where the sun rose and set on each other.  Nanas’ love will carry them through life, and it will be a lifelong argument over who was “her favourite”.

And then there is her steadfast son-in-law, Robin Simon, with whom she shared a perfectly imperfect relationship lasting over 29 years, through all of the good times and the not so good.  They would often be on opposite sides of an argument, but Catherine enjoyed a good debate (she loved Bill Maher).  She was always impressed that he had a tool for everything and that he was game for anything.  She loved that he was such a participant in life (whether dressing up for costume parties, trying new foods, or turning up at the Bingo in only blazers and bow ties with flowers (along with his father/brother-in-law) to put on a show for her Birthday).  But most of all she was impressed with his helpfulness and tenderness in this last year of her life.  She commented many times about how wonderful he was and how much she appreciated and loved him.

Although Catherine herself did not want a service, we were tempted to have one, to Celebrate Her Life, to have a Parade, to give her a Fireworks display and to shout from the rooftops about what an amazing human being she was.  Catherine believed her legacy would live on in the lives of the people that mattered to her, that she loved, that loved her, that had shared experiences and memories with her.  Her superpower was that she made everyone feel like “her favourite”.

In the last month of her life Catherine had many visitors including special friends from Scotland, her “Rock’ Sister Claire (and adult son Conan), and her maid of honour wee Margaret (1967 Wedding) and her husband Brian Donatello who happened to be touring Canada and who all extended their holiday to spend some last fun times with Catherine; time we all cherished together.

We will miss her: smile, presence, laughter, good humour, vibrancy, views, grateful attitude, her sage and honest advice, fun loving spirit but most of all her deep and caring love for us all.

Forgive the length of this tribute as it is in lieu of a service but let’s face it, if you knew Catherine, she was anything but brief.  Did you ever get a text or an email from her? lol

Catherine’s final wish for her family was to celebrate her life and be remembered on the Islands of Greece, the place Bob most wished to take her but never got the chance.

When asked for words of wisdom that she wanted to pass on, Catherine said “Love is all you need”.

 

Donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to St Joseph’s Home at covenantfoundation.ca

OR the “Get Me to Greece Family Fund” . . . .  . . . just kidding . . .

 

 

“Grieving you is difficult Mama, but we promise to follow your lead and stay in gratitude, for all that you were to us”

 

 

Special Thanks:

To Curtis Simon for the hospital delivery of his home-made fudge, which was Mom’s favourite and the very last thing she ate.

To Kelly Fiegal for keeping Mom beautified during her hospital stay.

To all our family and friends who visited, reached out, sent a text, email or phone call with words of love and encouragement that supported us and held us up through this very difficult year.

 

To the wonderful staff at ST. JOES (Misty, Ally, Nicole, Marcella, Stephanie, Megan, Kaitlyn, Megan, Amy, Nathalie, Natasha, Rose, Robin).  2 NORTH (Gigi, Bradley, Karen, Sarell, Nancy, Anna) DOCTORS (Monty, Foley, Bratvold, Meiring, Tessier, Malik and Cloette), 5 EAST (Delia, Jenn, Barb, Eyong, Debbie),  4 WEST (Victoria, Kara, Laurie) ER (Brenna, Brianne, Kyla, Ashley), PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM (Breaanne, Leanne)  HOME CARE (Martina, Jodie), COMMUNITY EMS TEAM (All awesome), Margery E. Yuill Cancer Clinic (Laurie, Allison), Lethbridge Cancer Clinic (Dr. Albaba, Shelley, Dr. Ghose, Stephanie, Kim), Respiratory Home Care (Kari).  And anyone we may have missed, we apologize but you will know you made a difference for us and Catherine, so thank you.

Condolences may be made at www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by GRACE MEMORIAL AFFORDABLE BURIAL & CREMATION 1924 10th Ave NW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 403-905-0440 info@gracememorial.com.

• Date : 2022-10-23
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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