Obituary of Cathie McCurdy

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cathie McCurdy, a lifelong resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at the age of 54 years.

Cathie grew up on a farm in Arras, British Columbia. She was the youngest girl in a family of 10. We recently went back to the homestead. Cathie was reflecting on the simplest of times while we were there. Growing up on the farm as kids we were outside from dawn until dusk, walking two miles to the neighbours, playing outdoors, feeding animals, collecting eggs, constantly pulling never ending weeds in the big garden, picking berries, and of course riding her horse, Tess (her favourite thing to do).

Cathie attended school at Devereaux, Park Hill, and Frank Ross. Cathie still kept a proud stack of school attendance and achievement certificates form her school days.

Cathie’s first job was at McDermotts as a cook in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. She then tried some camp cooking and waitressing. Cathie moved to Fort St. John, British Columbia, in 1992, where she did more waitressing before working at Canadian Tire for 18 years.

Cathie’s first trip to the United States was with Donna and Merv to Seattle while she was staying in Kamloops. Cathie was so nervous to go across the border as she didn’t know what to expect. Once in Seattle, Cathie was in awe of the big city and loved seeing the space needle and how big it was.

On March 18, 1999, Cathie’s son Nathan was born. Cathie was a very proud mother. The sun rose and set on Nathan – there was not a thing she would not do for him. We were going to Fort St. John at least once a month to pick up Cathie, Nathan, and the dogs to come for the weekend. Cathie really loved her family time.

A few years back, Cathie got to go to Cancun, Mexico, on a big family trip. She absolutely loved Mexico – the people, the food, and the exotic scenery and places. Mexico is where Cathie learned to snorkel. Cathie absolutely loved snorkeling. She was hoping to go back to Mexico this winter.

Cathie then moved onto her last, and as she said, “best job ever” working as a shipper receiver for the last ten years at the First Truck Center, formerly James Western Star. Cathie loved the job and the people she worked with.

Steven still remembers a particular incident when Cathie had first started at Western Star. He had stopped for coffee coming back from work and Cathie was trying to get some grease off of her reflective safety vest, so he gave her a can of brake clean to use. Little did he know she was going to use it then and there in the laundry room beside the hot water heater. The ensuing explosion knocked the range hood off the stove, flexed the windows, and shook the neighbours trailers. One of those neighbours called the fire department. Cathie’s shell-shocked look as she came out of the laundry room will never be forgotten. “Oh my God Shawn! What happened, are you okay?” (For those who do not know Shawn, Steven and Nathan’s names were often interchangeable to Cathie). Cathie was so embarrassed when three fire trucks parked outside her trailer moments later. That was the last time she talked to that particular neighbour.

We recently celebrated Cathie’s 10^th year of having a drivers license on January 15, 2022, with cake. For those who do not know, Cathie was quite nervous to get her license in the first place. She worked her way up from her first little red Dodge Neon to her brand new Chevrolet. She was proud of all her cars and called each of them her “little baby”.

Cathie was the tart maker in the family. She made the best butter tarts and would makes dozens of them to give to the lucky ones at Christmas.

Cathie was diagnosed with cancer in June 2021. She moved in with us in Tupper, British Columbia, shortly after. Through all the treatments and sickness Cathie stayed positive. She thanked God daily for life, sunshine, and positive energy. She didn’t want to be around anything negative and never lost her sense of humour. Cathie spent many hours on the deck in the sun and going for drives where we would park and eat apples and cheese.

Cathie was kept busy this winter making blankets and quilts for the family with her sisters Carolyn and Donna. Which she took to quickly and enjoyed doing. Her plan was to make matching ones this winter as a winter project.

Cathie enjoyed the neighbours, family, and friends that came to visit, all the phone calls with Nathan, nights at the fire pit, and her dogs Sophie and Sadie. As well as her time in the garden and eating the fresh peas.

Cathie will be missed in our house and by our entire family.

The family would like to thank Dr. Wright, who went way beyond for Cathie. As well as the ladies at the Fort St. John Cancer Clinic. You made her feel like she was a good friend, thank you.

A Memorial Service for Cathie will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 1:00pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pauline Haycock will officiate. Interment will be at a later date.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Cathie to the Fort St. John & District Palliative Care Society, c/o Dr. Wright or the Cancer Clinic, 9812 108 Avenue, Fort St. John, BC, V1J 2R3.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium