Catto McConnell
Catherine “Catto” McConnell
Catherine Elizabeth (Catto) McConnell (nee McMullen) passed peacefully in Tillsonburg, Ontario on Saturday, March 25, 2023 with family by her side at 101 years old. Catto was predeceased by her loving and beloved husband, of 60 years, Robert John (Jack) McConnell.
She is survived by brother Al McMullen (Theresa), daughters Sharon Sharpe (Bob) and Cathy Sather (Doug), grandchildren Michelle Sharpe, Jeff Sharpe (Loverly) and great grandchildren Kylee and Brooke Nimmo; Wendell, Jerric, and Alicia Marquez and also many special nieces and nephews and their families.
She is predeceased by her parents Alex and Ena McMullen, sister Margaret Milne (Jimmy), and brother Farkie McMullen, brothers-in-law Nelson McConnell (Mary), Sloan McConnell (Betty), Mike McConnell (Lois), Homer McConnell (June) and sister-in-law Catherine Hutchins (Don) and grandson André Sather, as well as nephews and nieces Gary McConnell, Jack McConnell Jr., and Ann Hutchins and special mother/grandmother figure to our family, Adrah Richardson.
Catto was born into a close, loving, Cape Breton family, on October 5, 1921 in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. She met Jack when he was posted there during the war, married in 1943 and later moved to Aylmer, where Jack’s family lived. There they built their family home together and also owned Jack McConnell’s Mens Wear. Catto spent most of her time being a great mother and homemaker and being involved in giving to her community. After children were raised, she worked as secretary/bookkeeper at the store. She had great faith, belonging to St. Paul’s United Church, and being active in the choir and the UCW there. She also enjoyed curling, playing bridge and going to theatre performances with friends. Her friendships and extended family were always such an important part of her life. She moved from her long time Caverly Road home, where she had lived for 60 years, to Harvest Crossing, Tillsonburg in 2017 and lived the last years of her life there.
She would want us to say a special thank you to everyone who played a role in her long life, including family members, with special thanks to her brother Al and wife Theresa, to nephew David for his weekly calls, friends – old or new, neighbours, with special love to Marjorie Hilliker who shared all of her Caverly Road days, Donna Elliot who gave her special care so she could stay in her own home for so long, the amazing caregivers and staff members at Harvest Crossing who helped her live the last years of her life with their support and her dignity – you truly made that her home, Dr. Graham (Aylmer), Dr. Chang who cared for her at Harvest, and Dr. Hayat, Dr. Agaibi, and all the staff at Tillsonburg District Hospital, who caringly made her comfortable and continued to smile and laugh with her in her last days. Every one of you held a special place in her heart and her family will always be grateful to you! A special thanks to Kebbel Funeral Home for their support and caring service.
She has lived a life full of love and laughter. Please continue to share her story!
Funeral service will be held at H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Visitation will start at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon and storytelling will follow at St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer.
Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, St. Paul’s United Church or a charity of your choice. Share memories or condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com