Tribute

In loving memory of

Catherine Marie Wallace

With deep sadness, we announce our dearly loved sister, Catherine Marie Wallace left this earth on Feb. 27th, 2025. Just as she lived, she left on her own terms, peacefully, with no regrets, with her sisters, Sheila and Julie at her side.

Cathy was born, in New Liskeard, Ontario, the third daughter in a family of seven; 3 sisters and 1 brother. In 1961, the family moved to Victoria where Cathy spent her childhood and teenage years. She felt so lucky to be born in Canada and live in a beautiful city by the ocean with a really loving family.

After graduating, Cathy moved to Vancouver, working in pubs and clubs from the West End to Vancouver’s East side. She was a hard worker and was always fun to be around. She had an infectious laugh, a spirited sense of adventure and a no-nonsense approach to life.

When she tired of the nightclub lifestyle, Cathy entered the BCIT Women in Trades program and discovered her passion for carpentry. She completed training in Cabinetmaking and never looked back. Cathy impressed everyone with her exceptional organization, promptness, reliability and enthusiasm for her trade in a male dominated industry. Her growing competence dispelled many myths about women in the trades, a fact she enjoyed illustrating with many worksite stories.  With experience under her tool belt, she struck out on her own as a self-employed carpenter.  She blended her exceptional carpentry skills with her innate creativity, developing a reputation for unique, high quality work and a joyful personality.

When Cathy moved back to the island she became seriously socially active. She worked hard to promote climate action, indigenous rights and renewable energy initiatives. Cathy was particularly proud of her work with the Tiny House Warriors, a group of indigenous Secwepenc and allies.  Cathy led a team of volunteers building several tiny houses to protest and impede the building of the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Cathy also completed a Diploma of Visual Arts at the Vancouver Island School of Art. Her art communicated, often dramatically, a powerful social message. Her passion for the environment was a driving force in Cathy’s life while art school facilitated her capacity to use diverse mediums to share her environmental message.  Cathy also endeavored to use recycled materials in every way possible, repurposing salvaged construction materials and reusing renovation castoffs for other renovation projects. Whatever items she didn’t use,  found their way into her art.

Cathy’s final move was to beautiful Mill Bay. She renovated a small manufactured home, complete with woodworkshop and art studio. Here, at the end of the road, looking into the forest, was her forever happy place. Cathy nurtured a caring community of friends in her park, whom she enjoyed and appreciated. She was an active board member of One Cowichan and canvassed fervently for the Green Party.

Cathy had a huge heart, full of compassion for those less fortunate. She was always so grateful for all she had been given in life and gave generously both financially and with her skills and her time. Cathy was never concerned with material wealth or possessions. Her family, especially her sisters, were her life. She was always the first to RSVP to family gatherings, was up for any kind of game and often outlasted the younger generation of players, well into the night.

We will all miss her laughter, joyful smile and loving presence in our lives.

To honour Cathy’s memory, she would be pleased to know you donated to an environmental cause of your choice.