We Remember
SULLIVAN, Catherine “Kit” Mary (née Harte)
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We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Catherine “Kit” Sullivan on May 13, 2022, in Kelowna, British Columbia. Kit was predeceased by her loving husband, John Sullivan. She is survived by her sons, Kevin and Barry (Leigh-Ann); and was a cherished Nana to Conor, Brendan, Robbie, and Kate. Fondly remembered by her older sister Phil and younger brother Daniel. She was predeceased by her older brother Jerry and two half-sisters, Margaret and Hetty.
Born in Ahaliskey, Ballinascarthy, Co. Cork, Ireland to Daniel and Mary Harte (née McSweeney), Kit had an idyllic childhood until her mother died prematurely in 1947. Kit’s father suffered ill-health from this time until his death several years later. As a result, Kit and her siblings were placed apart with relatives. These were tough times for Kit and her siblings, but she was resourceful and independent and was determined to make her own way. After completing her secondary school education as a boarder at Loreto Fermoy, she qualified as a registered nurse and midwife at the North Infirmary in Cork. Kit dedicated her life to caring for others.
Kit immigrated to Canada in 1959 after she had fallen for a West Cork man called John Sullivan. He was already in Montreal, QC, and Kit joined him there to start a new life. Whilst dating John and acclimating to the Canadian winters, she worked at the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) and the Queen Victoria Hospital in Montreal. John and Kit married in Montreal in 1961 and their first son Kevin arrived in 1962. Barry was born in 1966 and the family then moved to Ottawa in 1969. Kit worked as a nurse and educator at the Civic Hospital and later moved to the newly opened Queensway Carleton Hospital in 1978 as the head nurse on the surgical unit.
Kit’s and John’s lives were focussed on providing the best for their boys. They offered them every opportunity, from schooling to athletics – including standing in freezing arenas watching a sport that was completely foreign to them. Both of their boys went on to graduate from university. They also made sure to connect the boys to their Irish heritage and family; they made many trips back “home” enabling the boys to forge solid lifelong relationships.
John suffered a brain aneurysm in May 1984. This event had a profound impact on their lives. Kit became a full time caregiver to John for a period of 15 years until his passing in 1999. The following year, Kit moved to Kelowna, BC to be closer to her family. She embraced her role as a generous, devoted and loving Nana. Kit enjoyed long walks on the Greenway, and her door was always open to join her for a cup of tea and a chat. She also volunteered her time at the Kelowna General Hospital where she was loved by the staff. Kit flourished in her retirement years and travelled throughout Canada and the US with her family. She loved chasing her grandchildren through Disneyland and was always up for an adventure – even if that meant zip-lining through the Mexican jungle at the age of 72!
The past few years saw her increasingly struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and despite being fiercely proud and independent, she came to rely on others for her care. She passed into God’s hands peacefully, with the sun shining and the birds singing, with Robbie and Kate by her side.
She will be greatly missed but will live on always in our hearts as the most generous, loving, energetic and devoted woman we were ever blessed to know.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital through the KGHFoundation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022, at 3:00 PM (PDT), at ST. CHARLES GARNIER, 3645 Benvoulin Rd, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022, at 3:00 PM (PDT)
Location
ST. CHARLES GARNIER
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for SULLIVAN, Catherine “Kit” Mary (née Harte) is scheduled for THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022, at 3:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
‘Sisters by chance, friends by choice’ the framed words Kit gave to Mum on one of their many trips over and back to see each other and. they were, great friends, throughout the years despite the distance between them. Our thoughts, love & hugs to you all at this time, much love from her sister Phil, her Goddaughter Paula & nieces & nephews Dee, Gina, Billy, Shane & Gary xxx
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.” –
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patrick, & Tracey
To my dear sister Kit and darling Aunt we know you are in a good place now. We will always remember you for your sense of fun . You dedicated your life to others and you achieved so much in your career and life. We have very fond memories of Kit and our time in Canada with her. Sending all our love, thoughts and prayers to Kevin, Barry, Leigh Ann, Connor, Brendan,Robbie and Katie. Lots of Love from Dan, Mary, Barry, Ken, Cecil, Ciaran, Miriam and your god child Lorraine XXX
To Kevin, Barry, Leigh-Ann, Conor, Brendan, Robbie and Kate
We have great memories of Kit’s visits to Ireland through the years and likewise our trips to Ottawa and Kelowna. We may be in Ireland but we hope you feel that we are with you on this sad day. May Kit rest in peace.
With love from Aidan, Deirdre, Kyle Mike and Daniel
Sending love and condolences to my cousins Kevin and Barry, to Leigh-Ann, who was so good to Aunty Kit, and to all your gorgeous kids. It was wonderful to meet Kev, Brendan, Conor, Tara and Jessica last week. It made the loss of Kit more real, and I’m grateful for that. You brought back many fond memories of our lovely aunt. Kevin, you did your Mum so proud tonight. I’ll look forward to you all coming home again soon. Thinking of you all, of Uncle Jerry and especially of our Uncle Dan and my Mum, who adored Kit so much.
Remembering all the happy times of your many visits back home to Ireland and Carhuvouler. Remembering Kit’s generosity sincerity and kindness ….treasured memories that will remain with us always. We wish we could be there to say goodbye to Kit Sending you love and holding you all in my heart. Majella ❤️
Dear Kevin, Barry, Leigh-Ann, Conor, Brendan, Robbie and Kate,
We watched Kit’s funeral mass last night and in sad circumstances it was such a moving and beautiful ceremony. It brought back cherished memories of Kit, John, Kevin and Barry’s wonderful visits to Ireland growing up. As Kevin mentioned in his beautiful speech the parcels arriving from Canada were so eagerly anticipated and helped the Harte’s in Halldene set some fashion trends in Cork in the 70’s and 80’s. Kit was such a kind, generous, and warm person. In the midst of your sad loss it was truly wonderful to meet Kevin, Conor, Brendan, Tara, and Jessica on your recent trip to Ireland. We hope it provided some solace in the midst of your sad loss that there is still such a strong bond and connection with Kit’s roots in Ireland. We are thinking of you all at this sad time for you and you are in our thoughts and Prayers. May Kit rest in peace.
Love from Gary, Deirdre, Conor, David.
Holding you all in our hearts on this very hard time .
Remembering a most beautiful kind gentle Aunt
& Godmother who gave such light & radiance to all .
Hope those memories keep you all strong in the days ahead . She is never gone but in our hearts forever .
Love always Fiona, Cliona, Sophie & Charlie.XX
Hello to Kevin ,Barry and families. I worked with your Mum for many years at QCH. Some of the nurses that also worked with your Mum were together yesterday for lunch and we were thinking of her. So sorry to find out that she had passed away. Hope this message gets to you. She was always very proud of her boys. Nice to see she had a granddaughter to share her nice passion for clothes. My sincere condolences to all her family. Love Pauline Markle
Dear Kevin, Barry, Conor, Brendan, Leigh-Ann, Robbie and Kate, Memories of Kit have come flooding back. I recall how as a child, how unlike most adults, kit had a genuine interest in each and everyone of her nephews and nieces, how she made time for us individually on her trips back to Ireland. I recall the times my father would telephone Kit, how delighted he would be to converse with Kit, but then how evident it was after when he relayed how Kit and all of you were that he perpetually yearned to see her again. Jerry had tremendous love for his younger sister.
I hope you find comfort and understanding in each other and other loved ones as you navigate life without both parents, that you stay close to each-other in a world without parents as an anchor, that you grieve well and that you mind yourself – that you make and take the time to do just that.
Love,
Maeve x