CATHERINE ANN MASS (STENGER)(CATHY)

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• Cathy was my first friend when I moved to Winnipeg. We sat beside each other in Grade 5 (Stenger, Sullivan). We have stayed in contact throughout the years even though I moved to Victoria. My last communication with her was February 19 when she texted me a photo of a cloudy sky with sun shining through in the shape of a heart. I texted her March 21 and 31 and got no response. Today I tried again and it said undeliverable. I called her home phone and it rang and rang. Something made me google Winnipeg Free Press obituaries and she was listed. What a beautiful tribute to her life in the obituary. I loved her dearly. She touched so many of our lives. I am in shock right now and I see some familiar names who have shared their thoughts of Cathy. She meant the world to me. I would like to participate in a celebration of her life whenever that may be. May her soul dance with the angels and may her spirit live on in her art and with all who knew her and whose lives she touched. She was pure love. Blessings to her family. - Posted by: Maureen Sullivan (now Pemberton) in Victoria (my dearest friend) on: May 07, 2021

• I have been trying to find Cathy via the internet for over a decade now, to no avail. So it is with a heavy heart that I read the news of her death. She was my dear, dear friend when we lived in the Chelsea Court back in the 80's. I remember when she lined her entire apartment with "the felt"....white ragged edged felt that cocooned her living room. I used to baby sit Jesse when Cathy would go off to teach at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Jesse used to love to hide under my long skirt as I sat at the dining room table. Cathy was my mentor as an artist. Everything for her became art. She would light a cigarette and just draw...a rabbit living in the heel of her boot, a cocoon... or simply write out the dream in her tiny prayerful pencil script.... or write me an illustrated booklet about a family of snowflakes who were just discovering who they were. Frozen lace! Enclosed were eyelashes, tape, and torn paper shards. We cast paper, yapped endlessly, and drank quantities of tea in one of our adjacent roof top apartments.... or on the river bank below. She moved to Ninette and later I moved to Nova Scotia and we fell out of touch. I always wanted to reconnect, but I was unable to locate her. "So CASM...goodbye dearest friend. You are deeply missed. You taught me much about beauty and true friendship". I cherish many pieces of her art that I have with me in safe keeping. They still cause me flashes of wonder. - Posted by: MARTHA JANE LITTLE (friend) on: Mar 27, 2021

• I am so terribly sorry to have just heard of Cathy‘s passing. It has been many years, but the memories of her still linger with great fondness. She reminded me a lot of my sister, Paula. They both had a way of touching the hearts of all the people they came in contact with. She was a beautiful soul. She had a smile and a laugh that could turn away the clouds. My heartfelt condolences to the family. - Posted by: Curtis Scott Schappert (Family friend ) on: Mar 24, 2021

• I was devastated to hear of Cathy’s passing - she was my closest friend for many years when we were in school in Transcona. She was caring, funny, adventurous, beautiful - inside and out. I will always treasure my memories of her and am blessed to have been gifted by Cathy some deeply personal art work. I was also blessed to have been able to visit her in Winnipeg and Ninnette as I had moved away shortly after high school. My love to the family.❤️ - Posted by: Myra Sorochan (Childhood friend) on: Mar 24, 2021

• The last time I saw Cathy was almost 30 years ago. I was in the city visiting my folks and Cathy stopped by. That day she gave me an early sketch of her Portage Avenue mural and when I returned to Toronto, I had the sketch framed. Since that time, Cathy’s inspiration has travelled to several cities and each time has graced a wall in my home. Cathy was thought of often. Her gift will continue to be treasured. - Posted by: Ellie Willis (Cousin) on: Mar 24, 2021

• It's so incredibly hard to say good-bye to my dear "other" sister. A beautiful, caring and special woman. The kind person we all need in our life to remind us to be gentle with one another. I miss you in my world. Love to Jesse, Michael, Chris and family. - Posted by: Rebecca Wood (Dear sister-friend) on: Mar 23, 2021

• Cathy and I were cousins. We never had the opportunity to really connect with each other due to living in different countries and being many miles apart but we shared the Stenger name as our fathers were brothers. Rest in peace Cathy. Lois - Posted by: Lois J Stenger (Cousins) on: Mar 23, 2021

• I’m sad to hear Of Cathy passing. I grew up with Cathie on Kildare we went to the same school and hung out in our early years at Arthur Day. As Transcona gals we were at parties and hung out with many other locals. Cathie was always very kind with a big smile on her face. I had a chance to see some of her beautiful artwork before I moved in a different direction and left Winnipeg to go travelling. RIP my friend. 💕🌷🌷 - Posted by: Susan stelmack (Friend) on: Mar 23, 2021

• I first met Catherine in art school. We were in the same graduating class. We reconnected and got to know each other better when I moved to Brandon to work at the art gallery. She taught a number of classes there and always had a good rapport with her students as she had a kind and gentle manner. Of course, she was also an exceptionally talented artist. She was naturally poetic and creative. We had many deeply philosophical conversations in Brandon and on rides into Winnipeg on weekends when we were both commuting. I feel so fortunate to have been able to share time with her during my time there and regret that once I moved back to Winnipeg I failed to stay in touch. I remember having the privilege of sitting and chatting with her high up in the Children’s Museum while she was putting the final touches on the sun that presided over the works. It was a magical moment that I will always cherish. May her creative soul soar freely now. May her family and friends find comfort in the warm memories of time spent in her company. - Posted by: Michael Boss (friend and colleague) on: Mar 22, 2021

• I met Cathy and her family in 1978. She had a smile that could light up a room. Very sorry to hear the news. Rest in peace... - Posted by: John McNab (friend) on: Mar 22, 2021

• I met Catherine in 1987. I enrolled in a print-making course at the WAG which she taught. We became friends. I realized quickly she was very bright and had exceptional artistic gifts. We traded works and managed to stay in touch, tho sporadically, over the years. She wrote several letters, quite long, discussing her art projects. These letters are works of art. I treasure them. We last exchanged letters in Oct/Nov and emails not so long ago. Catherine, by opening artistic doors, and by virtue of her generous and empathic soul, changed my life, giving me confidence in my work and inspiring me with powers of observation. She was a great friend, a loving soul brushed with a unique genius. - Posted by: Stephen Snyder (Friend since 1987) on: Mar 21, 2021

• Cathy was my first friend in life. I was born June 21, 1959 and she born July 10, 1959. So she has always been there. I have many fond memories. We even had some outfits that were the same but different colours. Cathy had beautiful hair, and I remember how pretty she was when her mom put ringlets in her hair. I was so saddened to learn of her tragic passing. She will forever be in my thoughts. Rest In Peace dear friend. You will be missed. My condolences to the entire family. - Posted by: Sheryl Kamenz (Cyncora) (Next door neighbour.) on: Mar 20, 2021

• So sorry to hear, I grew up with Cathy, she was always so nice - special lady. My condolences to the family, she will be missed. - Posted by: Charlie Pickard (friend from school ) on: Mar 20, 2021