Catherine Winifred Leaker – 70, Stewiacke,
formerly of Truro, passed away suddenly, as the result of heart
complications, on Friday afternoon, April 18, 2014, at Colchester East
Hants Health Centre. Born September 24, 1943, in Truro, Nova Scotia,
she was the daughter of the late James and Dorothy (Dixon)
Conohan.
Catherine worked for many years as a supervising counsellor
at the Nova Scotia School for Girls and Nova Scotia Residential
Centre. In later years, Catherine and Glenn had a life skills coaching
business in Calgary and Nova Scotia.
A dedicated and kind hearted woman, Catherine loved her
family and music. She was a beautiful singer and enjoyed playing
guitar. She organized and participated in many coffee houses,
including The Salvation Army Coffee House in Truro which she
participated in on Friday morning and the one at the United church in
Stewiacke that she organized until last year. Many will remember
Catherine and Arnold from their many visits to Whistler’s
Pub in Stewiacke.
Catherine is survived by her loving partner and friend,
Arnold Weatherby, Stewiacke; daughter, Vesta (Nicholas) Tyacke,
Toronto; son, Jim (Bette) McNutt; grandchildren, Guinevere and Eleanor
Tyacke, Nicolas McNutt; Arnold’s children, Stevie Weatherby,
Bible Hill; Tony (Sherry) Weatherby, New Glasgow; Kathy (Don) MacKay,
Valley; Mark (Kim) Weatherby, Truro; Laurie (Dan) Coleman, Hampton,
New Brunswick; Julie (Wade) Fisher, Bible Hill; Wade (Cathy)
Weatherby, Valley; Arnold’s grandchildren and great
granddaughter; special friends, Peter and Edith Verheuval, Shortts
Lake; cousins in Prince Edward Island. Along with her parents, she was
predeceased by her second husband, Glen Leaker.
Special thanks are extended to VON Homecare for their
wonderful care and to Stewiacke Fire Department, EHS and Emergency
Room staff at Colchester East Hants Health Centre for your help and
compassion.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall –
Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where
Catherine’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.,
Tuesday, April 22, 2014, and where the funeral service will be held 2
p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Major Everett Barrow officiating.
Reception will follow. Family flowers only. If so desired, donations
in Catherine’s memory to Salvation Army or a charity of
choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the
family by viewing Catherine’s obituary on-line and selecting
"Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com