TRURO/ABERCROMBIE - After an eventful and wonderful life, we acknowledge the passing of Cathy Fox.
Cathy was a daughter of Ruth (Dickson) and the late John Rivers of Abercrombie.
Cathy graduated from West Pictou District High School in 1976 and proceeded to Acadia University where she graduated in 1979 with a B.A. Major in French and in 1980 with a B.Ed. In 1987, Cathy graduated from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, with a M.Ed., concentration in administration. Cathy had an untiring love of learning. In addition to the above universities, she pursued studies at Universite Ste. Anne, St. Mary's University, Nova Scotia Teachers' College and, most recently, at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
Cathy was passionate about a number of causes. Equitable, respectful and quality education for her students was extremely important. She was a member of the Truro Legion, Branch 26 and an important player behind the increasingly successful annual Remembrance Day literacy and art competitions. In 2000, Cathy was the only teacher from the Atlantic Provinces selected to represent the Atlantic region as a member of a five person group, sponsored and chosen by the Rotary Club, to take part in a month long professional exchange program to the Normandy area of France. Cathy was additionally well-known for her use of guest speakers in the classroom. She was convinced that this strategy helped her students understand the real-life applications and importance of their art, French, English and PDR. She also had a great love for dogs, especially German Shepherds. The yearly visit by the Truro Police K-9 Unit to her classroom was always a highlight. Cathy was an enthusiastic supporter of the Nova Scotia Teachers' Union. Over the years she served as school representative, sat on various local committees and, at one time, served as a member of a provincial committee. Cathy loved visual art, music and devoured books. She played piano and often used music as a motivational tool in her classroom. Cathy was a unique, colorful and yet spiritual person with one-of-a-kind communication skills.
Cathy is survived by her best friend and husband Robert, Truro; and her dog "son" Festus; her mother Ruth Rivers, Abercrombie; sister Donna (Donnie) MacDonald, Green Hill; brother John D. (Carolyn), Abercrombie; sister Julie (Don Hetherington), Churchill, Manitoba; sisters-in-law Betsy (Ian) Fraser, Trenton; Elayne (Bayan) Oweida, Halifax; Dorothy (Radoslav Markovic) Toronto; and brothers-in-law Brent (Geraldine) Fox, Kentville and Fred (Jacqueline) Fox, New Glasgow. She was predeceased by her father John C. Rivers, brother-in-law John Fox, father-in-law Brad Fox and mother-in-law Donelda (Mitchell) Fox. She will be missed by her 13 nieces and nephews whom she loved and in whom she had a great deal of pride.
Her remains are resting at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow, with visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday in Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow, with Rev. Richard Sand officiating, followed by committal in the Abercrombie Cemetery.
Special thanks to all Cathy's colleagues, the V.O.N., Colchester Regional Palliative Care Unit and Tommy Douglas. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society Lodge That Gives. Private condolences at: www.rhporter.ca