Obituary for Catherine Irene Kowalczyk

Cathy was the much-beloved wife for 46 years of Gene Kowalczyk. She was an amazing mom (and mother-in-law) to sons Dan (Kristy) and Dave (Beth), and daughter Jessica (Aaron) Aspinall. She was also blessed with nine grandchildren, who were a great source of her joy — Jesse, Austin and Ava Kowalczyk, Ben, Shiloh and James Kowalczyk, and Gracie, Ezekiel and Norah Aspinall. She will be dearly missed by us all.

Cathy was born in Pincher Creek on Oct. 25, 1953, to Albert and Irene Cyr. She grew up on her family’s farm and greatly enjoyed being outdoors with her siblings. Her grandchildren loved hearing stories of all her adventures on the farm.

Cathy was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Albert; her brother Maurice and sister Bernadette; and her father-in-law, John Kowalczyk.
She is loved and remembered by her sister Joyce (Morris) Pittman and brothers Bruce, Francis (Colleen), Ken (Leslie) and Paul (Gloria). She will also be remembered by her mother-in-law, Ann Kowalczyk; sisters-in-law Corinne Cyr and Jane Cyr; as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Cathy was a teacher and thoroughly enjoyed her role in children’s lives. She truly cared about each of her students and helped them to believe in themselves and strive to be their very best. She also loved to write and was able to publish a children’s book called Come! Come Closer! in 2016.

Cathy left behind a life of love and joy despite many days of illness. Her message to us was to simply “love God and love others.” She prayed faithfully for so many of those around her and committed many Bible verses to memory. A favourite passage of hers was Psalm 13:5-6.
Our family would like to express our deepest thanks to her medical team at Foothills Medical Centre, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and Dulcina Hospice, Calgary.

A memorial service was held on Nov. 4, 2021, at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel in Calgary. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery, Calgary.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at www.albertacancer.ca/in-memory/.