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Catherine Burns27 October 1923 - 6 May 2011Obituary | Memorial Service | Photos | MemoriesMemorial Service Home |
Josh and I had a special relationship with Kitty: she was truly a part of our family from as far back as I can remember. She was at our house every day before we woke up for school, and still there when we got home.
When we were in grade school, we'd also see her every day at lunch — because kids went home for lunch back then — where she'd have 'classic' Kitty lunches waiting for us — things like mushroom soup on toast, which tastes a lot better than it sounds ["No it didn't" — Josh], and of course, cookies. Even recently, when friends of mine would ask about her, they would always mention the cookies. And Niall and Nolan told me this week that one of the best things about Kitty is that she was so nice. What they meant is... she would always give them cookies when they went to visit her. These weren't 'Kitty cookies' any more (which is probably a good thing since the quality dropped off just a little as she got older), but still the association with cookies is strong.
Kitty grew up on a farm, but she always seemed pretty urban to me. I remember when I was little and going to visit, or better yet, sleep over at her apartment. She lived near Bayshore, which was exciting enough on its own, but she also had parties in the penthouse, and best of all, you could see the drive-in movie from her window — if you stood at just the right angle.
I think Kitty was happiest taking care of other people. I know she took good care of us and of the things we loved. She knit me mittens in the winter, sent me care packages at university, and took care of our pet birds when we went away. She loved birds, she loved hockey and talk radio, and she loved having maybe just half a beer every now and then.
I like to think she also had one great love, her husband Gene, and that they are now together again.