WILSON, Cathie Rachel (née Prosser)

July 28, 1953 — January 16, 2024

Our dear Cathie passed away January 16, 2024, with family by her side. Born in Kelowna, BC on July 28, 1953, Cathie was 70 years old. Cathie was so many things to so many people: wife to Laurence for over 45 years; mother to Kimberly and Julia; grandmother to 7-year-old Katherine; and soon-to-be-Gran to James (due early February); sister to Susan Marshall (Reg, deceased), Charlene Prosser, David Prosser (Kendall), and Michele Bjornson; as well as aunt to several nieces and nephews; and loyal friend to many.

Cathie was born and raised in Kelowna, enjoying life with her 5 siblings, well mostly enjoying! After school was finished, she went off to the big city of Vancouver, BC to create her big city life; she was back in Kelowna within 3 months. Kelowna was always her home, where she needed to be. She soon took a job at Calona Wines, where she met her husband, Laurence. They created a busy, fun life: they attended car club shows, raised Rottweilers dogs, trained Corgis, attended dog shows, and did a lot of camping and travelling all over Canada.

Eventually, after the girls were born, Cathie opened a very successful day care in their basement. When the girls wear grown, Cathie took a position in sales and merchandising, travelling to customers and trade shows all over the province. Often with Julia and sister, Sue, it was work, but we had FUN!

Cathie’s faith and family were very important to her, several years ago it meant the world to her to be baptized with her oldest daughter, Kimberly. Her faith remained strong and helped her through troubled times when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999. However, she was not about to let cancer slow her down, after months of treatment under the direction of her amazing oncologist Dr Mohammad she was declared cancer free!

Cathie was usually “up for anything”, we would grab our bags at least once a year and head out for a 3-day sister shopping trip!

Incredibly artistic, Cathie created so many beautiful gifts in her immense (and well stocked) craft room; she was not afraid of craft saws!

Sadly, Cathie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the very young age of 59.  It has been incredibly difficult to watch this horrible disease steal her vibrant, busy life away from her, and steal her away from us.  You can bet she was as mad as a hornet when she lost her driving privileges and subsequently her car… I remember her rooting around trying to find the keys to go to the store. There have certainly been difficult times these past years, but there have been lots of fun times too, lots of laughs over nothing really, just like the old days! I think the pressure was off for my sister once she went into Sun Pointe.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Sun Pointe Village, Belgo and Ellison wings, where Cathie has resided these past 4 years. Also, thank you to her youngest daughter, Julia, doing everything possible to make her mom more comfortable, happy, and settled; you are (and continue to be) amazing!

Cathie was predeceased by her parents Ivan & Arselie Prosser; brother Larry (d. 2016) (Bev, surviving); niece Shelby Prosser; and her nephew Shawn Marshall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC​.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honour Cathie at a later date. More details to come.

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