Catherine Hunt

Mary Catherine Hunt (known as Josephine to her husband), age 71, passed peacefully in Mississauga on July 21, 2021 surrounded by her husband of 52 years, Derek Hunt (known as Joseph to Catherine), and their four favourite children, Kimberley Hunt, Alana Hunt, Tammy St. Denis and John Hunt. She spent her youth on Canada’s easternmost island, Newfoundland, as Catherine Power (known as KittyWheeze during this time of her life!), daughter to Bernadette Power and Peter Power and star sister to her siblings who stayed connected with her to her very last breath, Wanda Power, Dianne Decker, Peter Power, Cindy Power and Kimberley Hunt.

Catherine and Derek both moved to Ontario, where they married, worked hard, kept their accent - at times - and raised children who grew into pretty terrific adults raising the grandchildren Catherine loved so much, Cassandra Heron, Adam Heron, Ethan Hunt, Lucas Hunt, Jessica St. Denis, Sophie Hunt, Rainey Hunt, Alexander St. Denis, Ella Hunt and Finn Hunt.

Catherine was proud of her heritage and forced salt pork, doughboys and other Newfoundland delights like Newfie steak and jam jams onto her children, who in turn, ended up liking the strange meals. She made bread by hand and there was nothing better than a fresh loaf out of the oven covered in butter. Her children would stand around the bread, with their hands out, waiting for their piece as the steam curled into the air.

Catherine loved music, books, her family and Derek. She battled pancreatic cancer for over four and a half years with courage and her characteristic stubbornness. She was given three to eleven months to live over three years ago and her body giggled at the idea Catherine would be gone so soon. She baffled her oncologists and palliative care team, who learned to respect her medical input and self-advocacy, and we are grateful that they helped her live her life on her terms as much as humanly and humanely possible. We miss her already.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or any charity you wish.

Rest easy, Catherine. You’ve earned it and then some.

And, just so you all know, Catherine is still here in spirit, keeping an eye on Derek and her children!