CATHY NEWSOME

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CATHY NEWSOME Peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2000, after a lengthy and courageous 13-year battle with cancer, Cathy passed away at the Health Sciences Centre at age 46. She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband Gerry Weigelt, her father George and his wife Maureen, her mother Patricia OSullivan; brother Paul; her aunts, Jewel OSullivan, Mary Herriott (Bob), Mable Burridge (Ted) uncle Jimmy OSullivan (Margaret) cousins, Pat Johnston, Barbara Miller (Ted), Nancy Militano (Carmine), Mary Elizabeth Deane (Brian) and Eugene OSullivan. She will also be sadly missed by Gerrys parents Art and Evelyn, his brother David (Debbie), his sister Cheryl; her special friends, Janet, Susan and Heather; her kind neighbours, Donna and June; all her friends at Our Lady Of Hope; her railroad co-workers and her menagerie of cats and dogs. Cathy was born September 11, 1954, in Winnipeg. She attended Convent Of The Sacred Heart, River Heights and Kelvin High School where she graduated. She started her railroading career with CN in 1973 and moved into the running trades in June 1974. Cathy had a passion for trains and railroading, and in August 1979 she qualified as a Locomotive Engineer, becoming one of Canadas first female Locomotive Engineers. She worked as an Engineer until June 1996 when cancer forced her to go on disability. She reluctantly retired in September 1999. In addition to her CN career, Cathy was a longtime member of The Vintage Locomotive Society. She became a Locomotive Fireman on the Prairie Dog Central and was a Fireman on No. 3 in the 1970s and 1980s between her road trips. Cathys other passion was for animals, and throughout her 20 years on her farm, she always had an assorted "family" of cats and dogs, along with her horses. She was a strong supporter of animal rights and the Winnipeg Humane Society. She met the love of her life, Gerry, and they were married on May 5, 1990. Throughout her illness, particularly these last few difficult months, Gerry provided devoted care and comfort for Cathy along with the support of his and Cathys families. Cathy touched everyone who knew her. She was a caring and unselfish person, and even in the depths of her illness, she always was concerned for the well being of others. She valiantly fought cancer and never gave up the fight. In so doing, she shared her experience, strength and hope with others. Cathy was a role model. Viewing will be held on Monday, November 20, at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave., entrance on Aubrey Street, between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, at Our Lady Of Hope Church in Anola, Man., with a viewing from 9:00 a.m. until the time mass begins. After mass there will be refreshments at the church. As per Cathys request, cremation and a private interment will be held at a later date. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. J. Johnson and the staff of 4H at Health Sciences Centre for their care and kindness, as well as CancerCare Manitoba, the H.S.C. E.R. and the H.S.C. Pain Clinic. Flowers gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society at 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, R2L 1X3, or The Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., P.O. Box 33021, RPO Polo Park, Winnipeg, R3G 3N4, or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 2248, Winnipeg, R3C 4A6. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 18, 2000