Cathy White

Lightened by deep gratitude for the love they knew from her and the good times they shared with her, it is with profound sorrow that the family of Catherine Margaret Kinlin White announces her passing on June 20th, 2023 following a short, difficult illness.

Born on September 25, 1951 in London, Ontario to the late Frank and Margaret (Murphy) Kinlin, she grew up in London and Toronto. After high school at Loreto Abbey and degrees from the University of Toronto, she joined the Toronto District Catholic School Board in 1974, retiring after decades of dedicated service, having time and again proven an exemplary teacher. In the classroom she was imaginative, inspirational and tireless.

Outside the classroom she continued to put in extraordinary hours, especially in support of students who were struggling. Tough and demanding but deeply caring, she brought out the best in her students. Many stayed in touch over the years; several wrote during her illness to express their gratitude for her profound influence on their lives. Retirement found her busier than ever, taking on numerous volunteer challenges, including organizing delivery of myriad Toronto Star Santa boxes to the Riverdale and Thorncliffe neighbourhoods.

When not volunteering, doting on grandson Tommy and beloved sheltie Macduff, or spending time at Kinkashlin, the family cottage, she made herself into an accomplished bridge player, amassing hundreds of master points. Dedicated as she was to teaching, family always came first. Initially this meant big brothers Ken (Donna Kinlin) and Greg (Maureen Kinlin) and a raft of cousins, aunts and uncles from Tweed and environs. In 1974 she married Graham; 49 years later they were still best friends and in love ... if occasionally given to bickering.

To say she was devoted to children Katie (Bryson Winchester), Heather, and Patrick (Claire Pitman) hardly begins to capture what they meant to her. She could, if provoked, morph into dangerous ‘mother bear’ mode should anyone threaten harm to one of her brood, but her usual approach was to provide wise, gentle guidance as the kids grew, matured and, to her sorrow and pride, headed out on their own.

On a wider scale, commitment to family shone through in the exhaustively detailed family history books she compiled, encompassing not only genealogy but also family lore, reminiscences, recipes, photos and more. Cathy always had special projects on the go beyond her family books: sussing out the documents needed to gain her Irish citizenship; planning family vacations in Canada and abroad; organizing memorable scavenger hunts topped off with homemade lasagna; imagining and overseeing multiple home and cottage renos; assembling, as the ultimate Dave Keon fan, a thick volume of clippings and material on his career that she sent to him, receiving, to her delight, a grateful phone call in response.

Somewhat reserved in her early days, in later years she developed many new friendships. Like her relatives, friends found themselves on the receiving end of a constant stream of cards, messages and gifts from her commemorating birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. In turn, friends and relatives provided much-appreciated emotional support and tangible kindnesses to Cathy and the family during her illness. Many thanks to all; special thanks to super friend Barb Mason for all manner of support. Heartfelt appreciation for the nurses, doctors and other staff at Sunnybrook, Princess Margaret, North York General and Bridgepoint hospitals whose care and professionalism made a difficult time almost bearable. Donations in her memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. A reception/visitation will be held shortly; a celebration of life is also being planned.