Ann Catherine Walsh

Ann died peacefully, holding her daughter’s hand, on Sunday April 11th. She was 89 years old. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, extended family, and countless others who were touched by her thoughtfulness, friendship, and care.

Ann grew up as Ann Coughlin (daughter of Cecilia and William) in Montreal, the city in which she met Jack Walsh, the love of her life. Anyone familiar with Ann’s profound intelligence, fearlessness, grace under pressure, and capacity for quiet leadership knows that she could have done, and been, anything. We – her children and grandchildren – are eternally grateful that she chose to marry Dad/Grandpa, move on from working at the CNR, and allow us into her life.

Ann was reserved and thoughtful but not at all shy, more prone to listening than to giving advice, a quality that endeared her to all. She was always kind, but also confident in her opinions (and certainly no wilting flower), saying more with a well-raised eyebrow than others could in a rant – an especially useful skill while living much of her life among so many boys being boys. She was a woman of courage and action who would not be held back by senseless conventions, choosing to return to Cegep and then University as a mature student (with a home, husband, and six kids to look after), taking courses and graduating alongside her eldest children. She was a woman of true faith and practical spirituality who lived (and showed others how to live) by accepting the uncertainties of life while attending carefully to what could be done in the here and now. She loved and so saw much of the world, experiencing everything she could along the way, from the luxury of the QE2 to the rough seas around Antarctica to sleeping atop a kapok mat in Madagascar. Mostly, though, she loved her family and friends and all the joy they brought into her life. It is for those of us left behind to forever remember that it was, in fact, she who made this joy possible, offering gifts that enriched and nurtured us all: welcoming homes, bountiful meals, and a truly beautiful generosity of spirit and action that made all who met her feel included and special. It wasn’t in her to even consider claiming what we who so love her can claim without reservation: she was, and remains, quite simply, the greatest.

Ann’s children would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Veronica Arthur, whose care, companionship, and love for Mom over the past two years has given so much peace to us all.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday April 16 at 11 am in St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Road, Halifax. Please pre-register your attendance by calling J A Snow Funeral Home at 902-455-0531. For those who are unable to attend in person the service will be live streamed; the link is available further below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Willibrord Mission Soup Kitchen in Montreal, Good Shepherd Ministries in Toronto, or the Sacred Heart School Bursary Program in Halifax.

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