Obituary of Catherine Overend

JANUARY 14, 1930 – OCTOBER 28, 2017

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mom, Cathie Overend, at Wintergreene Estates in Regina, in the presence of her loving family. Margaret Catherine O’Brien was born in the Cathedral neighbourhood in Regina to John Tierney and Marcella Ligouri (Galvin) O’Brien. She attended Holy Rosary School and Sacred Heart Academy and spoke often of her love for singing soprano in the Cathedral choir. Cathie grew up in a family of five children, all of whom she outlived: Eleanor (Sister Mary Rita), Lawrence, Bert (Lambert) and Rita O’Brien.

Cathie met and married her husband, John Overend, when she was working downtown at City Hall. They soon started a family and raised six children, all currently living in Regina. Cathie left the workforce to raise her children but always found time to volunteer in her community – canvassing for non-profit organizations and supporting church and neighbourhood events. When her two youngest girls were in elementary school, Cathie began working as a Teacher’s Aide at Jean Vanier School. In later years, she held a variety of part-time jobs.

Cathie liked to travel and was glad when she graduated from camping trips around the country with a station-wagon full of kids to flying to numerous global destinations with John. Her routine changed dramatically when John died at 65. As always, she devoted her time to reading and keeping up with family affairs, often travelling with her children and grandchildren.

Cathie was a gentle, kind and caring woman who lived her life with dignity and grace. She acted on her values, respecting and helping neighbours and strangers alike, with notable compassion for children. She often made donations for warm clothing or food programs.

Cathie is survived by her children and their partners, James (Pat) Overend, Valerie (Dave Weir) Overend, Rick (Dawn) Overend, Celia Overend, Sandra (Wayne Inverarity) Szeponski, and Karen (Bron) Nurkowski; eleven grandchildren,  Andrea (Scott) Overend-Taylorson, Andrew (Amanda) Voroney, Eric (April Paul) Watson, Ian (Shannon Tichkowski) Overend, Adam Overend, Colin (Misha) Watson, Jay (Shayna Klein) Overend, Tierney (Jason) Stone, Jordan Szeponski, Ben Nurkowski and Josh Nurkowski; and twelve great-grandchildren, Alicia, Annika, Elias, Alivia, and Egan Taylorson; Pierson, Wesley and Emmeline Voroney; Ca’Sandra Watson Maxie; Shylo Watson; Eleanor and Archer Stone.

Cathie will be remembered by her large extended family including sisters-in-law Dorothy O’Brien of Edmonton, and Marcia Holtby of Regina as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in Regina, Prince George, Montreal, Edmonton, California, and Australia.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Martin de Porres Church, 4720 Castle Road on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Riverside Memorial Park. Friends so wishing may make donations in memory of Cathie to Carmichael Outreach, 2300 11th Ave. Regina, SK S4P 0K1.

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