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CATHERINE BAIN VAN RYSSEL (HATCHER) (nee COSGROVE) On January 5, 2014, Catherine Bain Van Ryssel, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at the Stanford Care Campus in Parksville, BC at the age of 85. Catherine was born January 5, 1929 and grew up on her family's farm near Homewood, MB. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Jean Cosgrove, her sister Elizabeth, her first husband, Frank G. Hatcher and her second husband Arsene Van Ryssel. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons David (Kathryn), Brian (Shelley), Jeff (Amanda) and her grandchildren Kelsey, Meghan, Emma, Angie and Marissa. Catherine loved her childhood growing up on the farm and would often recount stories of the one room school house, her horses and pet St. Bernard, sleigh rides in the winter and the hectic times that came every year at harvest. She boarded in Carman MB while completing her grade 12 education before enrolling in the nursing program at the Winnipeg General Hospital, graduating in Class A, 1951. Catherine kept in touch with many of her classmates over the years and thoroughly enjoyed the 50th reunion of her nursing graduating classmates in Winnipeg. She remembered her work with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) with great fondness before leaving to devote to fulltime raising of her family. Family time was very important to Catherine and yearly holidaying at West Hawk Lake and later Clear Lake were always special times. She loved to golf, curl, knit and had a great passion for puzzles, Scrabble and crosswords. Upon her return to work at Patill's Insurance Agency in Winnipeg, she enjoyed the diversity of clients who came through the door. She moved to Seacrest, Nanoose Bay in BC after marrying Arsene Van Ryssel where she became very active in the local library. Upon Arsene's death, Catherine moved into Parksville and became involved in volunteering at the local SOS and tutored adult learners through The Write Place. She reconnected with her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi and developed many lasting friendships while enjoying her many activities associated with the sorority. She was the sorority's Woman of the Year and loved the yearly involvement at the Parksville Sandcastle event. Cathy made many close friendships throughout her life and valued them deeply. The family would like to thank the staff at the Stanford Care Campus, Alderview wing, with a special thank you to Vicki, Heather and Meghan, for the loving care and support given to our mother. A memorial gathering to celebrate Catherine's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Knox United Church, 345 Pym St., Parksville, BC. In lieu of flowers, Cathy would prefer a donation to the charity of your choice. Interment will be held in the summer at the Fairview Cemetery, Roland, MB., family plot.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on January 07, 2014