Obituary of Katharine Meechan

Katharine died peacefully on August 21, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario of heart failure. She was the beloved wife, "Darling Cathie", of James Meechan for nearly 66 years. She will be remembered with love and gratitude by their children: Mary (Geoff) Bond, Paul (Denise) Meechan, Patricia (Les) Gyulay, Eileen Meechan, Catherine (Paul) Motz, Clare Meechan, Thomas (Heather) Meechan; and as dear "Namee" to their 25 grandchildren, and great-grandson. Katharine was predeceased by her parents James Raymond Hanlon and Katherine Mahon, her sisters Rita Hanlon, Sr. Virginia CSJ (Mary), Sr. Vianney CSJ (Patricia), brother-in-law Ron Meechan and sister-in-law Patricia Brabender. She was born and raised on Glasgow Street in Guelph, Ontario. Katharine graduated from St. Michael's College, Toronto (BA, 1948); completed her law studies at Osgoode Hall, Toronto and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1951. She earned her LLM (1981) and received her LLB (retroactively at a special convocation, 1991) from Osgoode Hall at York University, Toronto, and was a lifetime member of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario). During her law career, she practised in Toronto as a corporate lawyer for many years, and then worked as an editor with a publisher of law resources. With her Catholic Faith at the centre of her life, she devoted her days to loving and helping her husband, and raising their children. An avid reader and lover of word-play, she was renowned for her Scrabble prowess, wise and playful sayings, puns, poem recitations, and her singing. Her life was enriched by international travel, summers at the cottage in Southampton on Lake Huron, and the enjoyment of parties, dancing and theatre. She was quick to share greetings and conversation, and her gift of humour sparkled in her eyes and laughter. Katharine prayed daily for her family, both living and dead, and for friends, as well as strangers after the exchange of a simple kindness or their confiding in her. She was always generous with her irrepressible joy, readiness for fun, and smiles from the heart. The Meechan family will welcome family and friends at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Due to covid concerns, visitors are encouraged to RSVP either by calling the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or via www.erbgood.com, keep physical distancing in mind, and bring a face mask. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 56 Duke St W., Kitchener at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, followed by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo. Condolences for the family or donations to Toronto Right to Life or The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (Canada) Inc. may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.