Obituary of Catherine Walls

(nee McAleese)

March 10, 1932 - January 30, 2012

Cathy passed away peacefully after a brave battle with cancer on Monday, January 30, 2012 with family by her side, at the age of 79 years. She was born and raised on the family farm near Portglenone, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. She worked for the Ministry of Agriculture in Ballymena, N. Ireland for a few years when she met her husband Joe. They were married May 9, 1956 in Portglenone and left the same day to begin their new life in Canada. Cranbrook had been her home since 1962. Although she was a long way from N. Ireland, she remained in close contact with family and visited Ireland 29 times. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League for many years, an enthusiastic and competitive lifemaster bridge player as well as a member of the Cranbrook Golf Course since the early 70's.

She is survived by her beloved husband Joe, their 3 sons Phillip, Garry (Lisa), Michael (Shauna), grandsons Chad, Alex, Nolan and granddaughter Erin. Cathy was one of eleven children and is survived by her sister Sara and brother Frank (Kathleen) McAleese, as well as a very large number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Catherine, father John, sisters Annie and Mary, brothers Charles, Danny, Joe, Mick, Pat and Tony.

Cathy received a precious life gift, a liver transplant, on March 4, 1992, nearly 20 years ago! She will be deeply missed by family and friends.

A funeral mass for Cathy will take place at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Cranbrook on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:00 am. A private Interment will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Transplant Research Foundation of BC, West Tower 3rd Floor, 555 - W 12th, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3X7 or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, BC & Yukon Division, 1501, 4330 - Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 9Z9.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com