Catherine Edith (Watts) Head
Born: June 9th, 1932
Passed on: November 13th, 2016
It is with broken hearts that we, the family of Catherine Edith (Watts) Head of New Waterford, announce her peaceful passing after a courageous battle with bowel cancer on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family. The baby girl of her family, Catherine was born on June 9, 1932 to her loving parents Helen (White) and Edward Watts. Catherine married her lifelong friend and the love of her life, John ‘Jack’ Head, on her 24th birthday in 1956. Together they built a home filled with love, welcoming four children along the way.
Faith and family were the cornerstone of Catherine’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many. Her quick wit and sarcastic remarks like ‘Big Deal’ and ‘Big Whoop’ will be missed immensely. Catherine’s baking was second to none. Her homemade molasses cookies would draw her children and their classmates over while on recess from Central School. Her grandchildren, who were the light of her life, always looked forward to Nanny’s famous jam cookies at Christmas. A delivery of Catherine’s fudge at Halloween was a request made by many. Catherine was a fourth generation, uniformed member of the Salvation Army New Waterford Citadel. She served many roles throughout her life, including recorder of the Corps history book. Catherine enjoyed her Tuesday nights at Home League where she formed many lifelong friendships. Some of her most treasured memories came from her time spent at Scotian Glen Camp with the Home League ladies. She also served as a Guide captain, taking girls on hikes and camping and teaching them values and life lessons. She was also a member of Combined Christmas Giving for many years. Once her youngest child, ‘the baby’, was in school, Catherine went to work as a cleaner for the local school board. She worked at Breton Education for well over twenty years sharing many fond memories with her co-workers and friends. Catherine will be lovingly remembered by her husband, John ‘Jack’; her three daughters and their husbands, Brenda (Hilary) Romard, New Waterford, Helen (Bernie) Corbett, Halifax, Bev (Leo) Gallant, New Waterford and her six grandchildren, Aimee Romard, Alyssa (Mark) MacDonald, Robyn Corbett (Murray Bain), Tyler Corbett (Louanne Comeau), Jonathan Gallant (Alyssa Aucoin) and Jennifer Gallant. Catherine is also survived by her sister, Laura MacKinnon and sisters-in-law, Elsie Watts, Sharon Watts, Marge Watts, Shirley Watts and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her only son, Kevin ‘Koogie’; sisters, Ethel and twins, Margaret Jean and Helen Louelle (in infancy); brothers, George and his wife Wilma, Earl and his wife Myrtle , Eldon, Dave and his wife Gertie, Harty, Russell, Kenny, a brother at birth and brother-in-law, John R. MacKinnon. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, November 16 from 5-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral service to celebrate Catherine’s life will take place on Thursday, November 17 at 2 p.m. in the Salvation Army Citadel, New Waterford with Major Linda Watts and Lieutenants Dennis and Mary Maybury officiating. A luncheon will be held in the Salvation Army Hall with burial to follow in Union Grove Cemetery. Donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or to the Salvation Army, New Waterford. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of the Palliative Care, the VON and New Waterford Homecare for making Catherine’s last days as comfortable as possible. Special thanks are also extended to Karen Wilson who was there for us at a moment's notice and made this journey a much easier one.
‘Mom, you left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you're always at our side.’
‘Those we hold closest never leave us, they live on forever in the kindness that they have shown us and the love they brought into our lives. We will love you forever Nanny.’
