On Monday December 9, 2013, Catherine Ksenia Gebhard (nee Chorney), at age 83 years, passed away gently in her sleep in her own home.
Catherine was greatly loved by her family. She was a quiet leader who was guided by her principles and lived her values. She contributed widely as a donor and as a volunteer to local outreach and arts organizations in Victoria, and did so selflessly.
In her personal life, Catherine was a creative soul who spent hours crocheting, knitting and reading. She was also a 40+-year yoga enthusiast that relished in her daily practice. Catherine believed her body was a sanctuary and she took steps throughout her life to take care of herself. She spent hours walking along the ocean’s edge with her small dog Emily, and built a garden that illustrated her love and passion for the natural world. It was a passion for gardening that helped coin her nickname – Botany.
Although she spent over 40 years in Victoria, she raised her family in Saskatchewan and never gave up on her beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders. Unfortunately, she was only able to watch the Grey Cup in 2013 on television, but cheered loudly when her favourite team won the Cup this year. Her family knew never to call when a game was on…only at half time.
Catherine was a staunch political pundit from her living room, and engaged in elections with the same fervor as she did with her love of football. As an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, Catherine believed strongly in democratic principles and its process.
She was a very special woman who will be missed by her immediate family: Bob and Deb, Carla and Don, and Wanda and Bob, along with her many grandchildren their partners and great-grandchildren: Jesse, Silas and Karla, Sarah and Yan, Ana and Bill; and Luciana, Ronin, Katryna, Satya and Zamfira. The family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for the excellent support and palliative care from the Palliative Care Unit at Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC: Dr. N. Cassim, Dr. Wai, Dr. Braithwaite, Edris and the Palliative Care Crisis Team.
The graveside funeral service will take place at Royal Oak Burial Park, Tues. Dec. 17, at 11 am, through the services of McCall Bros. Funeral Services, Victoria, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to local community outreach or arts organizations of the donor’s choice.
…one ending is a new beginning…
Condolences to the family may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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