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Catherine J Drost
December 16, 1936 - February 3, 2026
Tribute
Catherine J. Drost was born in England on December 16, 1936. Her parents were Rena Marr, a nurse and self-taught architect, and Captain W. Phillips, who led an extraordinary life as an early aviation pioneer. Catherine grew up in the U.K., South Africa and India and emigrated to Canada in 1954 with her parents and her brother, Bill. She attended the Vancouver School of Art with a focus on fashion design and worked at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
In 1959, Catherine married Ian L. Drost. They bought a small cottage in West Vancouver which grew into a family home where they raised their three children. Catherine and Ian retired to Salt Spring Island in 2003 and built a beautiful house on St. Mary Lake. They were married close to 60 years, up until 2018, when her darling husband departed.
Catherine had a large, charismatic personality, an enduring sense of humour and an infectious laugh. Catherine was involved in a very successful flower business “Fleurs” for many years. She also loved photography, poetry, sailing, skiing, hiking, gardening, antiques and travelling. She was always up for an adventure, as her many dear friends can attest. Some of her most challenging and cherished experiences included a group trek to the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga in Nepal, making it over the 5,115 meter Kagmara La Pass and visiting the Tibetan refuge camp in Dharamshala India, where the Dalai Lama resides in exile.
Catherine passed away on February 3, 2026. She is survived by her three children, John (Rose), Anne (Jacques), and Helen (Simon), and her three grandchildren, Emma, Audrey and Flora, as well as her cousins, brother, nieces and nephew. Catherine’s family extend their great appreciation to her doctors and the care teams at both Sunrise Care Home in Victoria and Cerwydden Seniors Community Home in Duncan. The staff and residents provided Catherine with so much love, care and consideration throughout the advance of Alzheimer’s.
A Celebration of Catherine’s Life will be held later this spring for extended family and friends.
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Stephany Brown
Relation: One of my best friends for years
I treasure the fun adventures Catherine and I shared and remembering the laughter we had together.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered at:
Blooms at 49th Parallel – 778-422-0262
Floral Bar at Party Mood – www.floralbar.ca or 250-701-3151
Floral Department at Thrifty Foods – http://floral.thriftyfoods.
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the Funeral Home information.
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Send Condolence - For Catherine Drost
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