Catherine Bradford
June 30, 1919 – April 1, 2009
Dear mother of Donna (Dick) Friesen (Saskatoon), Glen (Bea) Bradford (Sexsmith, AB) and Laura (Paul) Ford (Irma, AB) went to be with Jesus April 1st, 2009. She suffered a stroke on March 22nd and spent the last nine days of her life at RUH, where she was cared for by compassionate nurses. Mom was born in Vancouver but spent most of her growing up years in Three Hills, AB. After attending Prairie Bible Institute, she found work cooking at a care home in Calgary while she waited for Dad to come back from World War II. He wasn't home long before he persuaded her to marry him. She always said she married Dad so that he wouldn't be pestering her to go out every night. Soon after they were married in 1946, they joined the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission and moved to Camsell Portage on Lake Athabasca and then Uranium City, during the Eldorado Mine boom days. They loved the adventure of living in the north and getting to know the native people. Mom was a great help to Dad. They formed many lifelong friendships during this time. Their three children were born during their 13 years spent on Lake Athabasca. When Dad was elected to the board of NCEM in 1959 they moved their family to Meadow Lake and eventually, Prince Albert. Here Mom served as Mission hostess, preparing many meals and beds for board members and missionaries passing through. Everyone praised Mom for her good meals. Their later years with NCEM were spent travelling across North America, challenging churches to support the ministry in the north. After an accident in 1987 when Dad became a quadriplegic, they moved to Circle Drive Alliance Care Home and Condos. Throughout the changes this brought to their lives, Mom stood faithfully by Dad. For seven years, Dad was lovingly cared for by the wonderful staff at the care home. Mom always showed her appreciation and love for her family. Even the smallest expression of our love for her, was met with great gratitude. For the past two and a half years, she lived at Sunshine Haven Care Home. Marleen Klassen and her girls, Cathy, Minnie, Eileen, and Elaine cared for Mom better than we ever could. She went from a size 6 to a size 14 there!! Our heartfelt thanks to each one of you at 3319 Fairlight Drive. Mom is lovingly remembered by her grand-children: Karmen (Kristen) Friesen, Sharla (Darren) McHarg, Kendal (Krista) Friesen, Carala (Terence) Jellema, Kris (Lindy) Bradford, Kandis (Dennis) Wiebe, Jeremy (Rachael) Ford, Brad Ford, and Rachelle (Dwayne) Lingley and 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, Hugh (Marie) Sommerville and Sandy (Iona) Sommerville; in-laws, Elouise (Gordon) Olmstead; Hugh (Tisha) Bradford and Shirley (John) Bennett as well as several other in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins. Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Raymond (1996); parents, brothers Bob (Lil), Brian (Ruth) Sommerville and great grandson, Tiegen Bradford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Northern Canada Evangelical Mission (Box 3030 Prince Albert, SK S6V 7V4). Mom loved to look up at her 60–year-old plaque and remember:
“He who hath helped thee hitherto will
help thee all thy journey through.”
We'll miss you, Mom, but we look forward to seeing you again. A Celebration of Catherine’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 4th at 1:30 p.m. from Calvary Church (Arlington Ave and Louise Street). Arrangements in care of John Schachtel - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES, Saskatoon, SK (306) 978-5200.