Obituary of Catherine Louise Green - Redekop
October 9, 1954 – January 20, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Cathy’s graceful, joyful, loving, selfless, exciting, and inspirational dance with life has sadly come to an end in her 71st year, with her family by her side. We will never again see her smile that could light up a room or hear her laugh that lightened everyone’s heart. Cathy loved people, and people loved her. Everyone she met presented an opportunity to make a new friend. She was giving, caring, generous, out-going, considerate, thoughtful, charming and, in a word, vibrant. Cathy leaves behind her dedicated, loving husband of over 48 years, Wayne Redekop, and her 3 remarkable daughters, Lindsay Redekop Smith (Rob Smith), Hilary Redekop (Riley Leclerc), and Kylie Redekop, as well as her grandchildren, Brody and Cullen Smith and Lonnie Leclerc, whom she loved unconditionally and who enriched her life immensely.
Cathy is survived by her brother, Philip Green and his children Peter, Adam and Sarah, and her sister, Beverly Roynon (Dave) and their children Heather and Corinne, Uncle Desmond and Aunt Patricia Todd, brother-in-law, David Redekop (Christine), and sister-in-law, Georgia Markoff (Rick), and many other nephews, nieces and cousins. And many, many friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Iris Green (nee Todd).
The dance began with Cathy’s birth in Fort Erie and she lived in the community that she loved all her life, with the exception of her years at McMaster University, where she earned a Bachelor of Physical Education degree, followed by a Bachelor of Education degree from Brock University. Even as a young woman, she was engaged actively in the community in many ways, notably as president of her high school sorority and later as a volunteer and president of the downtown Fort Erie YMCA. She was a Brown Owl for nine years and served on the Girl Guide executive for a further year. She was also proud of the 25-year plaque that she received as a volunteer for blood donor clinics held at Crystal Ridge. Cathy was a life long member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. She was a reader in church for many years and volunteered at various activities when needed. She was selflessly devoted to supporting her husband throughout his years in political office. She loved being in nature, travelling with her family, gardening, playing games, organizing activities and embarking on new adventures. Attention to detail was the underlying theme to the dance.
Cathy loved her career of 35 years as a high school teacher, first at her alma mater, Fort Erie Secondary School, for 8 years and then for the balance at Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School. She was actively involved in coaching athletics, planning trips, running clubs, and organizing the annual Terry Fox Walk for over 25 years. She was most proud of her work with the environmental club as they planted many trees and shrubs throughout town and cleaned up litter along the shoreline and trails. She was a member of the school’s Management Council and served on many in-school committees and as the union Status of Women representative.
As much as Cathy loved teaching, her students loved her. She committed countless hours to assisting her students to be the best they could be in whatever they had chosen to do. She was a mentor to generations of youth, always available, always interested and always willing to give of herself whenever, wherever and however she could. Cathy was a stellar role model for her daughters, each of whom has excelled in life following her example, and for the many girls and young women she encountered during her dance with life. She was smart, confident, courageous, determined, funny and always committed to standing up for what was right. The music may have ended, but Cathy’s imprint on those with whom she interacted or encountered during her fulfilling and remarkable life will endure. For that, we can all be grateful.
Cathy and her family are thankful for the caring nurses (especially Joyce and the Amandas) who attended to her over the past 16 months, the many personal support workers who assisted her as she neared the end and Dr. Kim Scher and his assistant, Marty. Donations in Cathy’s memory can be made out to the Cancer Research Society or to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Fort Erie.
Benner Funeral Services, 1105 Benner Ave., Fort Erie entrusted with arrangements. Visitation on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. . Funeral on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 32 Idlewylde St., Fort Erie. Interment at St. John’s Ridgemount Anglican cemetery at a later date.
