Sydney/Gabarus Lake
It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Catherine Christene Newton, inform you of her passing on Monday, June 15, 2020 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.
Born on February 13, 1943 in Gabarus Lake, residing there until Catherine moved to Sydney where she lived until her passing. Catherine was the daughter of the late Alex Angus and Dora (MacLeod) MacDonald.
Catherine was well known for always keeping busy as a long-time seamstress working at Jacobsons Bridal and Vogue Dry Cleaners, she had a passion for crafting. She was an avid sewer, with a quilt or craft fair project always in process, loved to knit slippers, mittens and hats, and was a beautiful landscape painter. Catherine enjoyed playing darts, a good game of cards, and spending time with her dear friends, Josephine and Maddie.
Catherine is survived by her six children, Darlene (Derrick) Gwynn, British Columbia, Terrance (Marlene) Gwynn, British Columbia, Jim (Sue) Gwynn, Alberta, Steven (Heather) Newton, British Columbia, Dora Newton Figen, Alberta, and Kevin (Rhonda) Redden, Nova Scotia; 16 wonderful grandchildren; eight beautiful great-grandchildren; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; as well as her lifelong best friend and sister-in-law, Pearl MacDonald, who was there for her throughout her life right to the very end. We will be forever grateful to you Aunt Pearl, for your dedication to taking care of her and everything you have done. We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Catherine, being the last surviving member of her immediate family, was predeceased by her parents, first husband, Charles Gwynn, second husband, Francis (Beaver) Newton, and brothers, Angus and Allister MacDonald.
Visitation and funeral service to celebrate the life of Catherine Newton will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.) Whitney Pier on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Due to current social distancing requirements, a visitation by appointment only will take place from 12 noon to 3 p.m. with the private funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Interment will take place in Zion Cemetery in Gabarus Lake following the service.
To book your time slot for the visitation, please call 902-270-1092 or email us at info@pierfuneralhome.com. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Catherine can be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
So sorry to hear of Catherine’s passing.We worked together at Jacobsons and many a laugh we shared.We are blessed to have one of her painting given to us on our 50th Wedding Anniversary which we will cherish forever.Fly high my sweet Angel.
From: Barry & Starla Costello
Sending our sincere condolences to Catherine’s family. She was a talented and lovely lady. Take care.
From: Shauna Miller MacKeigan
Darlene, Terry, Jimmy, Dora, Stevie, and Kevin–My deepest condolences go out to all of you at this sad time. Your mother and I grew up together in Gabarus Lake and shared many good times and laughs. She was a very talented lady with always a project on the go. Last October, I had a get-together with Margaret, Alan, and your mom. We had good conversations, laughs and a meal. i am so glad I got all the old friends together. May you all find comfort in the good memories you have of your Mom. Memories of those we love live forever in our hearts!
Love to all,
From: Phyllis MacLeod
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom , my thoughts and prayers are with you all
From: Elizabeth Milley (Humby)
Very sorry to hear of Catherine’s passing, always enjoyed a chat with her about her many skills or picking up a few tips here and there.
Prayers for the family at this most difficult time.
From: Helen Boutilier Apt. 24
Extending sincere condolences to all the family and friends of Catherine. I remember her as always pleasant and smiling a wonderful smile.
From: Frances Hanson
Catherine and I were a part of the painting class at The Senior’s in Marion Bridge and I really admired all her works . She had an eye for detail and always brought her work to the Church fairs ,for example, St Theresa’s in Sydney . So very sorry for your loss . Phyllis MacEachern Trout Brook Rd .
From: Phyllis MacEachern
mom i love you and missing you i am coming home asap to be with you dad and john you were are my best friend sorry i wasnt there with you been trying to get there
to the most beautiful women person and friend and mother wife grand and greatmother rip you were always there for me now ill be there for you
love you always
your daughter
Dora Fidgen
hugs and kisses
All my love to you Grandma. You will be dearly missed.
I have so many fond memories with you as a young child. Memories full of seeing, knitting, baking and swimming.
As an adult, you helped me with my wedding dress and you were also here in Calgary when Tyler was born. Thank you for being a part in two of the most memorable days of my life.
I am so grateful that I was able to visit in September 2018, it was a lovely day reminiscing of the olden days.
Love you so much and I am sorry to say with all that is happening in the world right now I won’t be able to visit to pay my respects. You will always be in my heart.
Rest In Peace
Sincerely,
Tanya, Aaron & Tyler
Please accept our sincere condolences in the passing of Catherine. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time. May she Rest In Peace.
Dear Dora,Stevie and family
I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Catherine. She was a fun customer to have in the store and always had a good story( gossip) to share
Thinking of you all
Sandi Harriss
Darlene, Terry, Jimmie, Dora, Stevie and Kevin…..Your mom was one of the strongest women I knew….No matter the hurdle, she overcame it like it was any other day…..Will miss our chats about sewing and crafts …..
Dad (Donald C) sends his sympathies as well…..Mom will be in touch, I’m sure. Hugs to you all at this very sad time…
So many fond memories of Catherine. She was very so very special to me. We shared many laughs and lots of fun, and some tears. When I was home, I was as excited to see her as I was my own family. A trip to Gabarus or Fourchu beachcombing will never be the same. We chatted nonstop about life and whatever topics came up, and we shared shoulders. Thank you for coming into my life and for being the special lady , that I was privileged to call my friend. Will miss you for always. Until we meet again…Love ya more!
My deepest condolences to everyone. Aunt Catherine I will miss you friend. Hugs and prayers to you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Catherine and all of your family at this sad and difficult time.
I am very sorry to hear of Catherine’s passing. A very talented crafter and seamstress. I knew Catherine since I was a child and she was always so nice and friendly whenever I would run into her through the years. Rest in Peace Catherine. My Prayers for you and your family.
So sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family. We will miss you Aunt Catherine.
Such a fine lady. Our condolences to the family. You be missed Aunt Catherine.
She was a great lady, knew her a long time and Cape Breton Crafts-A-Plenty has loss a great crafter. Our hearts go out to all the family
May I offer our Condolence of Catherine’s death. May peace and comfort come to the Newton and MacDonald family soon. May God Bless all
So Sorry to Hear about the passing of Catherine. She was a great lady.
I will keep her in my prayers.
Ada Hagen
Sydney Women’s Support group.
The Sydney Women’s Support Club wishes to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Catherine’s family on her passing. Catherine was a member of our group for several years during which she made many friendships. She was a very quiet, kind, gentle, and talented lady. She will be remembered in our prayers.
My sincere condolences and prayers on the loss of Catherine. She was a lovely lady, kind and talented.
Sincere condolences to Catherine’s family on her passing from Donna Hannem, Leader, Sydney Women’s Support Club
I am deeply saddened to learn of Catherine’s passing. For the past several years she has been a core member of our painting group in Marion Bridge. Often I would pick her up on Thursday morning and we would get our Timmies on the way.
As the head of the group, I always bring photos for the others to use as inspiration. Catherine enjoyed looking through them, usually picking a seascape or a photo of wildlife. She got inspiration from many sources, once bringing a section of a Kleenex box so she could paint the flowers.
I enjoyed Catherine’s company very much. She was an astute observer, with a great sense of humour. She always encouraged the other less experienced painters in their efforts.
I will miss seeing her if and when we resume painting after covid.
May your memories of happier times help to lighten these dark times.
Sorry to hear of Catherine’s passing. She loved to paint and loved to laugh. I will miss her.
From Louise MacDonald
Painted with her in Marion Bridge!
Darlene,Terry, Jimmy,Dora, Stevie and Kevin : We were so sad to hear about your Mom’s passing. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you and your extended families.
Catherine was a very kind and caring person and she will be missed a great deal by many.
Cherish the memories of her that you hold dear.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Faye and Alex Mac Intyre
So sorry to hear about Catherine. She was a wonderful lady and will surely be missed by all that knew and loved her