Catherine Ida Pasieka

Catherine Ida Pasieka  (nee Senger)   Feb 22, 1926 – Nov 4^th, 2015

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Catherine (Kay) the morning of Thursday, November 4^th, 2015.  Predeceased by husband Michael in 1992, and daughter Beverly Pediny in 2013, as well as six of her brothers and sisters. 

Born in Allen, Saskatchewan; Kay moved to Fort William as a young woman in 1942, where she first worked at Canada Car near the end of the war.  Her German ancestry limited her career there as the war progressed, and she had many interesting occupations:  working in a tree nursery, a funeral home, and later in life at Canada Post - a job she loved.  A short time after arriving in Fort William, she met and married Michael and they raised three children.  As a young family Kay and Mike also had a market garden and produced honey.  Kay was happiest with soil under her fingernails, and passed on her love and skill for gardening to her children.  We all delighted walking into her cold room, stocked to the brim,  raiding the stores for our favourite  pickles and jams. Those of us that lived “away” became experts at safely packing pickle jars for air travel.  As well as raising her own three children, Kay became “Mom” or “Grandma” to many neighbourhood children, foster children, and friends of us kids and grandkids.  Her incredible capacity for love and compassion touched many people over the years.

Although Fort William, or Thunder Bay, was home to Kay for over 70 years, she spent her last year at the Windsong Memory Care home in Barrie, ON, under the attentive and respectful care of the amazing staff there.  We could not have asked for better end of life care for our mom, gram, and great grandma, and are very grateful for the passion the staff at Windsong have for their residents.

Kay is survived by son Donovan Pasieka ( Diana), daughter Paulene Pasieka (Peter Wells), son-in-law John Pediny;  grandchildren Dale Pediny (Mareth),  Stacey Pediny (Neil McCuaig), and Dawn Trevisanutto (Bryan), and Fraser Wells (Amy Godin) as well as great-grandchildren Daelle Lynn and Gregory Pediny,  and Brandon and Noah Trevisanutto.  She is also survived by her youngest sister, Betty Palahitski, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A service will be held in Catherine’s honour at 3 pm on Sunday, November 8^th, in the Chapel at the Waterford/Windsong Care Home, 132 Edgehill Drive, Barrie, ON.