“O my Luve is like a red, red rose”
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Catherine "Cathy" Normandin, a loving and gentle spirit, who peacefully left us in the early morning hours of February 4, 2025, after a long and difficult illness.
Cathy was the beloved wife and lifelong partner of René Normandin and the devoted mother of Kaitlin (Colin Schut). She was the daughter of the late Joy Norton and sister to the late Joy Jr., Sharon, and Tim.
Born in Montréal, Cathy spent her early years in Brownsburg, PQ, before moving with her mother and older sister to Ottawa. Her childhood was shaped by the loving presence of her grandparents, Mary (McGee), a talented seamstress, and Norman Norton, a WWI veteran and pipefitter at Union Station, as well as a circle of adoring aunts and uncles. Cathy’s mother, Joy, was a single parent who worked as a bank clerk.
Cathy grew up in Old Ottawa East, where she formed lasting friendships, often skating and swimming with friends at local spots. She attended Canadian Martyrs’ Elementary School and Immaculata High School (1967). It was during these years that Cathy’s lifelong love of literature blossomed.
Intelligent, well-read, and curious by nature, Cathy was the first in her family to attend university - a milestone that made her grandfather, Norman, especially proud. She enrolled at St. Pat's College at Carleton University, earning her degree from Lester B. Pearson (1969), before attending Teachers College at the old Elgin Street Public School, now Ottawa City Hall.
Throughout her life, Cathy worked in various roles, including post office worker, salesgirl, waitress, public servant, and editor with Environment Canada and the Public Service Commission. However, her most cherished role was as a kindergarten teacher - a vocation that allowed her to share her kindness, patience, and love for young learners. While many people lose touch with the innocence of childhood, Cathy never did. Perhaps that’s why children always seemed to sense her genuine affinity and respect for their world.
Cathy’s love story with René began in 1965 when they met at a dance. She wore green, and René was captivated by the "kindest blue eyes he had ever seen." They started dating at 18 and married on February 5, 1972, at the age of 22. Their wedding took place on a cold yet beautifully sunny day at the Oblates chapel, where family priest Father Conlon officiated after the parish priest refused to marry them, citing their youth. Cathy wore a dress she had sewn herself, a stunning design by Jean Muir. Their marriage, built on deep friendship and enduring affection, spanned five decades.
Cathy had a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms. She was highly skilled at sewing, creating stunning Halloween costumes, graduation dresses, prom dresses, and bridesmaid gowns. She had a keen eye for style and took great pride in her appearance. She loved comedies, costume dramas, and musicals - especially West Side Story, which held a special place in her heart. She found joy in fresh flowers and exploring gardens, particularly delighting in the Ottawa Tulip Festival, the grounds of the Governor General’s Residence, and the Ottawa Arboretum.
But above all, she appreciated René’s horticultural talents, finding peace and joy in walking through their beautifully tended backyard or relaxing on the back deck with a book, keeping an eye out for cardinals and listening to mourning doves. She was also a devoted fan of the Peanuts gang, with a special affection for Snoopy. Her passion for French literature, Shakespeare’s sonnets, the poems of Robbie Burns, and Scandinavian murder mysteries was a defining part of her character. Cathy took immense pride in her Irish heritage, and her warmth touched the lives of all who knew her.
In her younger years, she was an avid skater and cyclist, often skating to work at Dow’s Lake on the Rideau Canal and commuting by bike over the Champlain Bridge. Cathy also had a love for the arts, particularly ballet, frequently attending performances at the National Arts Centre. She enjoyed exploring Ottawa’s cultural treasures, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Nature Museum, and the Canadian War Museum.
Cathy cherished family vacations to Canada’s East Coast, Maine, Cape Cod, and the Carolinas. She also shared unforgettable trips with René to Ireland and Greece, where they embraced the beauty and culture of these special places together.
Catherine's greatest love, however, was for her family. She poured her heart into her marriage with René and her relationship with Kaitlin. As a mother, she was endlessly patient, attentive, playful, and loving, giving of herself freely and wholeheartedly. The bond shared between René, Cathy, and Kaitlin is something the family will be eternally grateful for, and her loss leaves a profound and irreplaceable void.
Cathy was a true lady, embodying kindness, grace, and respect in every interaction. She consistently treated others with deep consideration, whether with friends, family, or strangers. With a quiet strength and gentle spirit, Cathy left a lasting impression through her genuine care and thoughtfulness. Her actions reflected her unwavering commitment to compassion, always attuned to others' feelings and offering empathy in even the smallest gestures. Though she may not have changed the world on a grand scale, she made a difference in countless small ways. With every kind interaction, she left the world gentler, warmer, and better than she found it. We are poorer for her absence.
René and Kaitlin would especially like to thank Dr. Robert Esguerra for his many years of dedicated care as Cathy’s family doctor, the team at the Palladium Medical Clinic, pharmacist Wayne Law and everyone at Pharmasave Kanata; Dr. Vanessa LaSalle at the Montfort Hospital; the compassionate staff of the Advanced Care Unit at the Ottawa Civic Hospital; and the ICU team at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Though forever wouldn’t have been enough time with Cathy, we are deeply grateful to the ICU staff for giving us five more precious years with her at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cathy had a deep love for children and firmly believed that every child deserves a childhood free from fear and want. She was also a passionate believer in women’s rights and equality. In her memory, please consider donating to an organization that supports children and/or survivors of gender-based violence - causes that were especially close to her heart.
With tears in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts, we hold dear the precious memories of a truly wonderful woman. Rest in peace, our love, until we are together again. To infinity and beyond.
Love René and Kate
Sending all my love to your family. Cathy was such a warm, kind presence. I've donated to UNICEF in her honour.