HAWKES, Catherine Elizabeth, commonly known as Kathryne or “Kaye”- 91 passed away March 29, 2015 at Northwood Centre in Halifax, NS. She was born October 30, 1923 in Yarmouth, NS. She was the only child of Bernard L. Pothier and Florence M. (O’Leary) Pothier. Kay was a lifelong resident of Yarmouth. She was a graduate of the Provincial Normal School in Truro, N.S where she met her future husband to be. As a teacher, she taught at Saint Ambrose School and for many years until retirement, taught at South Centennial School. She was an active member of the CWL for many years. Over the years she enjoyed painting and had been an actor in local plays prior to the YARC formation. She enjoyed being a participant in fashion shows, particularly the Frenchy’s Fashion show. She had been a curler at the old curling rink on Brunswick Street. At times when her veterinarian husband was on a call she was confronted with an emergency case arriving at the house. She became adept at the removal of porcupine quills and dispensing “over the counter” advice until he returned. One of her great pleasures was the cottage at John’s Cove in Cape Forchu, where she spent many summers enjoying the ever changing tides, sunbathing, beachcombing, watching the boats and particularly the company of neighbours. She also enjoyed many decades of playing Bridge with her friends. More recently the VON’s “Breakaway” program became a weekly highlight of her life. Her greatest pleasure was travel and all things Oriental. Her passport bears the stamps of many exotic locations around the world from Iceland to the Orient and Asia, through Europe to Africa and from South America to the Caribbean. She and her husband enjoyed many such trips on multiple occasions with particular favorites being the Orient and Africa. She lived her dreams always with the philosophy: Life is for the Living. She would without hesitation endorse the following:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson

Through her life she bore many burdens but carried them without complaint. Although the deadly grasp of dementia waged its war against her she fought through it without tears and without surrender despite the difficulty it presented. Kaye had arrived at Northwood Centre only a few days before her death. She is survived by her son Leigh (Frances) of Halifax, daughters, Barbara (Peter) Barry, Calgary; Carmella (Robert) Lavin, Dartmouth; Kelly (Stuart) Marney, Halifax; eight grandchildren, and her World Vision sponsored child Wako Abdulmalik Abdi of Kenya. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur, sons Stephen and Gerald Joseph. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yarmouth. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 2:00pm from St. Ambrose Cathedral with Father Fabian Ihunegbo officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to your charity of choice. On-line condolences may be sent to: sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook on-line at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net