Obituary of Catherine Ann Lake

This isn’t an obituary—Mom didn’t want one. In her words, “those who need to know I’m gone will know.” She didn’t want a service or a celebration of life. But we still want to tell you how amazing she was, how deeply she was loved, and how much she will be missed.

My mom wasn’t just my mom—she was my best friend. Dementia changed her memory, but it never dimmed her spirit. Her positivity stayed with her, even in the hardest moments. After our last visit, my son said, “She’s still Grammie. Says the same things and makes the same jokes.” And he was right.

She was an incredible Grammie. She adored her boys with all her heart and talked about them constantly—even into her final year with the wonderful team at Dykeland. Her love for them never wavered.

Mom was a cancer survivor and a passionate advocate. She supported others through their own journeys, always ready with encouragement and understanding. She had a way of making you feel like your problems mattered most, no matter what she was facing herself.

Her friendships stretched coast to coast—so many people touched by her kindness, generosity, and unwavering warmth. Her animals were part of the family, a reflection of the love she poured into everything and everyone.

Even as her memory faded, she found joy. Music was her escape, her comfort. On the day she fell, she was still happy, singing every word to Stairway to Heaven. Thank you to those who sat with her and made her smile that day.

A very special thank you to the team at Dykeland, especially those on Blenkhorn. Your kindness toward Mom through the years—and to me, especially in those final days—will never be forgotten. A simple thank you doesn’t feel like enough. Your compassion and care meant more than I can ever express. Thank you for making it possible for Mom to enjoy her last day in the sun. I know she would have been deeply grateful, just as I am.

I have a lifetime of memories, and I’ll share them with my boys, so they will always know who she was—how deeply she loved, how fiercely she lived, and how beautifully she stayed herself through it all.

If you wish to share a story about her, please do. I would love to hear how she impacted your life—her kindness, her humour, her strength.

In her memory, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s or cancer research—two causes that were close to her heart.

I hope you are at peace now and having a beer with Grandpa and Nan, and getting to see Jerry. Until I get to hug you again...xoxo