Obituary of Catherine McCoomb

Mrs. Catherine Rennie McCoomb (nee Potter) passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2009 in St. Mary's Hospital in Camrose at the age of 105 years. Catherine was born on October 18, 1903, in London, England of Scottish parents, the youngest of eight children. She migrated at age ten to Medicine Hat, Alberta, with her mother and two brothers in May 1914, joining other family members who had arrived earlier. Catherine obtained a commercial diploma in high school and was eventually employed in the CPR Superintendent's office where she worked for 13 years. Catherine married Lloyd McCoomb of Medicine Hat, a CPR trainman, in August of 1932. She and Lloyd decided to go into business for themselves and in 1934 settled in the village of Busby, north of Edmonton, and there operated a general store until Lloyd's death in May, 1963. Following Lloyd's death, Catherine moved to Red Deer, Alberta. She was active in St. Leonard's on the Hill Anglican church and as a volunteer in the community. During those years she enjoyed many trips abroad. In 1991, Catherine moved to Stoney Creek Lodge and then to Rosealta where she resided until her death at the age of 105. She lived a rich life, blessing many with her loving ways. Catherine is survived by her children Norma (Ray) Blacklock of Camrose, Heather Hartung of Antwerp, Belgium, and Lloyd (Ann) McCoomb of Oakville, Ontario; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 from St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Camrose. Inurnment will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery in Edmonton. Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund Anglican Church of Canada (80 Hayden St., Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2), the Heart and Stroke Foundation (100, 119-14 St. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1Z6) or to the charity of your choice.