COWLEY, Catherine May

September 9, 1954 – June 11, 2025

Catherine passed away peacefully at home on June 11, surrounded by those who loved her most—her husband Paul, her daughter Allana and son-in-law Jason, and her step-daughters Andrea Teskey with husband John and grandsons Henry and Leo; Joanna with partner Colin and grandchildren Zoe and Jack; Megan Tepperman with husband Mitchell and grandchildren Jackey and Julia; and Tiffany Mintah along with her husband Kanaya and grandchildren Ezra and Eloise.

Catherine has been reunited with her Mother Catherine, Father Howard, Brother Howard and her Sister Laura surrounded by the same peace and light they all brought to this world.

Catherine’s legacy is not found in accolades or possessions, but in something far more enduring—her unique and unforgettable brand of love. It was a love that wrapped around you like warmth on a cold day. If you were lucky enough to be touched by it, you carried it with you forever.

She had a rare gift; Catherine saw the good in everyone. She made you feel seen, heard, and wholly accepted. Her compassion wasn’t passive—it was active and intentional. She gave of herself constantly, whether as one of the most beloved drivers for Meals on Wheels—greeting each client with a warm meal and a warmer chat—or during her life-changing trips to Africa with Allana, working in orphanages where her love crossed oceans and borders.

It’s impossible to forget how Catherine could light up a room. She didn’t simply enter; she illuminated. Her radiance was more than her smile—though that smile could take your breath away—it was the spirit behind it. Joyful, genuine, and grounded in love.

Many favourite memories come from family trips to the Bahamas and the Caribbean—times filled with laughter, beachside stories, and the kind of moments you cling to forever. Catherine’s selfless love was at the heart of all those adventures, creating a bond and a foundation that shaped her family.

A celebration of her life will take place at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland, Ontario. From 1 to 5 PM on June 29, where all can share stories, tears, laughter, and gratitude. Catherine loved beauty and colour, so the family invites everyone to wear blue or yellow—her favourite colours—to reflect the light and warmth she brought into our world.

In lieu of flowers, and in honour of Catherine’s passion for community and creativity, donations can be made to Quest Art School + Gallery, a non-profit she proudly served on the board of and deeply believed in. Supporting this cause is a meaningful way to carry on the work she valued so much.  https://www.questart.ca/donate

To know Catherine was to love her. To be loved by Catherine was to be changed.

Though she will be missed deeply, her spirit will carry forward—in every act of kindness, in every expression of generosity, and in every moment where we choose to see the good.

Thank you, Catherine, for loving us the way you did.

You will always be with us—in memory, in legacy, and in love.