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CATHY RIGGALL Obituary pic CATHY RIGGALL Obituary pic

CATHY RIGGALL

Born: Oct 20, 1949

Date of Passing: Mar 29, 2024

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CATHY RIGGALL

Cathy Riggall, born October 20, 1949, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, died March 29, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario. After living with cancer for two years, she chose to end her life on her own terms through the MAiD process.

At her request, there will be no service. Instead of flowers, please donate to the organizations she supported, such as the YWCA Toronto and the Stratford Festival, or ones that support the Princess Margaret Hospital of Toronto.

Those fortunate enough to have known Cathy know she loved a good story. We thought it only fitting to let her have the last word:

If you are reading this, I'm dead.

Such a great opening line for a

murder mystery!

Or an obituary.

In my case, there is no murder or mystery.

But dead is dead, just the same.



If you are getting this poem,

You've been following my progress.

You've cheered me along the way.

So keep cheering and laughing.





No tears allowed.

I have had such fun getting

through this life.

So remember the good times

And the laughs we had together.





Remember that I've had a lovely life.

Growing up in Winnipeg meant

outdoor sports and indoor reading.

Icy winters but long, hot summer days.

High school was fun,

university even better.





Then I moved to Toronto to work.

My career was exciting,

groundbreaking in some ways.

CIBC meant new jobs every year or two

Marketing, product development, finance.





I left after ten years for Guaranty Trust

But ricocheted back to CIBC

My upward climb accelerated

I made it to VP.





Canada Trust was next

But after five years, TD bought CT

So I took the money and moved on -

To Moore, a disaster in progress.





Another package and I joined U of T .

It turned out to be a perfect fit for me.

It took all the skills

I'd picked up on the way

And added a few. So I stayed.





No tale of my life can overlook family.

I met the boy next door, Keith Potter,

Who turned out to be the love of my life.

My best friend and biggest supporter.





Our two sons, Dave and Rob married

Katy and Emily, partnerships like ours.

Aiden, Damien and Ella - our grandkids,

Not much in common but their height!





My father died when I was twenty-four,

My mother when I was sixty-four.

I will soon be seventy-four.

Fred, my much younger brother,

(he claims,)

Remains in Tucson with Ginna.

And our sister Jean holds the fort in Winnipeg!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2024, Apr 06, 2024

Condolences & Memories (4 entries)

  • Keith and families, Roger and I are so sorry for your loss! Cathy will be dearly missed! Her obituary was beautiful, just like her! Our deepest condolences go out to all of you! 💕 Kathy and Roger - Posted by: Kathy and Roger Steckly (Friend) on: Apr 08, 2024

  • Keith, if Obituaries can be beautiful, Cathy’s was beautiful. It was very meaningful that she wrote her last poem so eloquently. Memories of Cathy include many coffee times in St John’s cafeteria. She was always full of laughter, joy, and meaningful insights. - Posted by: Diane Campbell (Sorority sister) on: Apr 06, 2024

  • It was always fun to spend time with Cathy and her sister Jean running to as many Fringe Festival shows as possible. I'm grateful for the good times we had when she visited the hometown. - Posted by: Wayne (sister's companion) on: Apr 06, 2024

  • Jean; We grieve with you at the loss of your beloved sister. Lynne and Brent. - Posted by: Lynne Wasson (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2024

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