Catherine Ann Smith

Cathie, loving mother, grandmother, and wife, passed away on December 3, 2024, at the age of 74. Cathie dedicated her life to finding meaning by helping others. She was highly educated with a creative heart. She sought out the extraordinary in life leaving her legacy as one of kindness, love, and an encompassing belief in mana (spirit in all things and people). In later years, the family built her an oriental garden filled with this mana.

Her home was a sanctuary of warmth and love for her family, filled with the delicious smells of her cooking, joyous sharing, and a sense of wonder. She created magic for her grandchildren with hidden chocolates, baked brownies, and many family traditions that will be lovingly remembered.

She was deeply engaged in her community. Her great friends in her book club and the Royal Commonwealth Society were inspirational to her. Cathie wrote Canada’s first international marketing policy at Foreign Affairs and liaised with most High Commissions in Ottawa. In recognition of her service, she was scheduled to receive in 2025 the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Cathie’s love for the waves at Georgian Bay was a treasured family tradition. Each year, she brought her children to its beaches to skip rocks, eat ice cream, and play in the sand—simple, joyful moments bridging past and future, and connecting many generations through shared memories. In her later years, Cathie’s passion for the seaside brought her to the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and the Mediterranean, creating many special moments.

She was the daughter of the late Father: John Earl Smith, and the late Mother: Frances Smith (née Buzza). She is survived by her husband, Gregory Evanik; her children Jennifer Van De Vooren (née Evanik) and Simon Evanik; her Son-in-law Kyle Van De Vooren; her grandchildren Leonardo and Theodore Van De Vooren; her brother Peter Smith; her sister Margaret Rouse (née Smith) and brother-in-law Douglas Rouse; her sister-in-law Teresa Grande (née Evanik) and husband Pino Grande; her sister-in-law Marilyn Evanik and husband John Dolcetti Sr.; her niece Melissa Duguay; her nephew Pierre Duguay; her niece Natalie Bender (née Rouse); and, nephew Dustin Rouse. Extended family who will forever hold her in their hearts.

A small ceremony for Cathie’s immediate family will be held on the Winter Solstice, December 21st, 2024, celebrating her life and legacy. Cathie only wanted a small immediate family service in Ottawa. She will be inurned in Owen Sound.

Her favourite poem is by William Blake:

To see a world in a grain of sand

And a heaven in a wildflower

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour