Catherine Hanrahan

.Catherine (MacKinnon) Hanrahan, 65 of Sydney passed away in the comfort of her husband Ron, son Chad, daughter Kelly and family members Friday, February 17th, 2012 at the Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

Born at her home in North Sydney, she was the daughter of the late Michael (Marion Cox) MacKinnon.

At the age of nine months, Catherine and her parents moved to Sydney where she grew up and lived in the Ashby area for the remainder of her life. She attended Constantine Elementary, Park Jr. High and Holy Angels High School. Following high school graduation in 1965, Catherine joined the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish. During seven years of personal, spiritual, physical and mental growth with her beloved Martha friends, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a major in Scriptures. With this education and background of Martha living, she moved back to Sydney to continue carrying on that Martha's outreach in her everyday life.

In 1973, she started a new life as a wife and mother. As a stay at home mom, Catherine took care of her two children with love and showed great guidance. During these years Catherine became involved with St. Theresa Parish as a part-time religious education coordinator. One of her greatest passions was music. She loved to sing and was a valuable member of the six o'clock St. Theresa's church choir.

Catherine was employed with the Diocese of Antigonish in the Faith Formation and Education office, the former Nazareth House and former Diocesan Center in Sydney, where she provided assistance to people with their selection of religious programs and books. The friendship she nurtured with her fellow employees continues today. Their loyal and supportive actions were an inspiration and source of strength for her during her illness.

Above all Catherine was a deeply spiritual person. She was always reading and taking in conferences to develop her spiritual life. She developed a group of friends called The New Vision that met regularly to discuss spiritual topics. These people became a source of support and inspiration for her during her time of illness. Her spiritual life-searching guided her life from beginning to end.

Catherine also found great joy making her yearly trip to the seacoast of Old Orchard Beach, Maine to visit her good friends Christine and Joanne at the cottage. Catherine loved to take in the sights of the sea, especially the big waves, and most of all shopping in her favorite stores.

Her many lifelong friends were a testament to her kindness and loyalty. She welcomed everyone into her home with enormous warmth and hospitality. In Catherine's home and especially in her heart, there was always room for one more. Catherine was a kind, charitable and gentle person, always willing to help a friend/family member in need. She was a modest person who was greatly touched by the kindness of others. She loved to write thank-you notes to everyone who extended an act of kindness to her.

Catherine's greatest love was for her family. She was and always will be the glue that bound her family together. She was a great daughter, wife, mom, nannie, sister and aunt because of her wisdom, strength and love. Catherine loved family get togethers for special events. Being surrounded by her family members - her children, grandchildren, siblings, in laws, nieces and nephew, she experienced love and comfort.

Catherine is survived by her mother Marion; husband Ron; son Chad (Tanya Hardy) North Sydney; daughter Kelly (Darren) Lawless, Sydney and her two precious and beautiful granddaughters Karley Frances - nannie’s playmate and Darcey Elle - nannie’s cutie. Catherine is also survived by her sister Marion (Frank Potter); nieces Breagh and Gillian; brothers Richard; nieces Lisa and Julie (Toronto), Michael (Victoria) and Alexander ‘Sandy’ (Pamela); nephews Reece and Keith (Calgary). She is also survived by brother-in-law Gualbert (Elaine) Hanrahan; niece Karen (Jean Marc) and nephew Glen and special family member Ryan (Barbara) Jordan (Halifax).

Catherine was predeceased by father Michael; father and mother-in-law Bernard and Sylvia and sister-in-law Sylvia.

Visitation will take place at T.W. Curry Funeral Home in Sydney on Sunday, February 19th, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Celebration of Catherine's Life will take place on Monday at the Grand Lake Rd. Fire Hall at 1:30 pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Theresa's Food Depot, homeless shelter of your choice, Hospice Palliative Care of Cape Breton and/or Patient Comfort Fund of Cape Breton. Also in memory of her acts of kindness, one can offer an act of kindness to a friend, neighbor or stranger.

Online condolences can be expressed through T.W. Curry Funeral Home Sydney at www.twcurry.com.