Obituary of Catherine Hope Mason

Mason, Catherine Hope (born on April 18, 1915) - After nearly a century of a life well lived, Catherine Mason died peacefully August 12, 2013 at Hotel Dieu Shaver, St. Catharines, Ontario. She was predeceased by Archibald Mason (husband), son Ian Mason and daughter-in-law, Beryl. A diminutive Scottish émigré with a great big personality, Cathie relished many warm friendships, a love of dancing, music, bowls, and Scottish Club events. Known to family as simply Nana, she was the heart, soul, and chief humorist of our adoring clan. Renown for her rollicking version of the bird dance, Nana was the first and usually the last off the dance floor at family gatherings. Nana was the epitome of Celtic sensibility with sage advice ready whenever solicited. A sample of the latter, her recently dispensed recipe for longevity: eat porridge and chocolate lady fingers daily, with BLTs, and a wee dram here and there for good measure. It is with tremendous gratitude for the gifts of her being, the joy that she brought to each of us that we, Nana's surviving family, say farewell le cuimhneachan gradhach. Until we meet again, Janet Mactavish (daughter) and grandchildren - Keith Mason (Jackie), Elaine Thomas (Rick), Jennifer Mactavish (Kelly), Lynn Winner, and Ian Mactavish; great grandchildren - Coral, Tori, Ryan, Alysha, Nathan, Madison, Rhiannon, and great great grand-daughter Braelyn. Special thank you to the residents of 321 Geneva Street where she lived for 27 years, and to the kind staff at Hotel Dieu Shaver where she spent the past three months. Family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street on Saturday between 1:30pm and 2pm with service following in the funeral home chapel. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be held at a later date in Falkirk, Scotland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Afterglow I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done. - Author Unknown