CATHERINE ROSS KERR (nee GORDON)

Condolences & Memories (14 entries)

• Cay taught my family to swim, I had issues because I was afraid of the water and she went to the effort of picking us up for swimming lessons at the Pan Am pool. All of us use our swimming for fun and exercise and my brother is a scuba diver who has traveled the world in search of beautiful coral reefs. Swimming is a necessary skill in this country full of lakes and streams and Cay has made a big difference in the number and level of participants in this sport. - Posted by: Susan Crawford-Young (Swimmer and neighbour) on: Apr 23, 2014

• Aunt Cay will be missed, she was an inspiration to many - Posted by: Janice Ross (Niece ) on: Apr 21, 2014

• I would like to send my condolences from the Sarden Family, sibling of Catherine's baby Sister Jean. I had the opportunity to meet Aunt Catherine once when I was only a year old. But my Mom shared many highlights of how proud she was of her big sister and how she loved to swim. It's ironic because while growing up, the one thing we learned by age 2 was to swim. It was amazing, but challenging over the years, how we shared something so precious and dear to us on different continents. May peace be with your family during these difficult times. Lisa Sarden-Jarrett. USA - Posted by: LLisLisa lilisaLisannnnnnnnnnnn (nie) on: Apr 15, 2014

• Cay taught me to swim when nobody else would because I couldn't float! That was my introduction to a woman who found us our house,thus became a great neighbour to all of our family and a good friend of my mom's. Her fun children - especially the girls, became my good childhood friends. She included me in much of her family activities... well swimming - which when one lived essentially next door meant every day and indeed she felt almost like a second mom sometimes. She helped develop confidence, a spirit of willingness to try things, and set an example of amazing commitment. Cay will always hold a special part in my memory of wonderful people in my life, and every time someone whistles I am reminded of her and that great whistle that could call us, from the bottom of the pool to the far reaches of the "Gates". - Posted by: Barbara (Gillis) McManus (friend) on: Apr 10, 2014

• I remember taking synchronized swimming from Kay at Sherbrooke Pool in the 60's. Good memories of what I jokingly remember as trying to do the 'belly leg', also remember her sister Margaret giving me a ride to the class every week. Two busy women taking time for kids with something they believed was important. I wish that I could say thank you, swimming did become important in my life and that of my daughter. Condolences to the family. - Posted by: Kathleen Allen (Distant relative. Anna Gordon married to Adam was my mother'sister.) on: Apr 03, 2014

• My thoughts are with my Kerr cousins on the passing of Auntie Cay. - Posted by: Beth (Kerr) Bennett Melcher (Niece) on: Apr 03, 2014

• Our condolences to Laura and family on the passing of your mother. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. - Posted by: Dave & Claudette Blais (friends of the family) on: Apr 01, 2014

• WHAT WOULD MY LIFE BE LIKE IF I HAD NOT HAD MY AUNT CAY? I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE HER. NOT ONLY DID SHE TEACH ME TO SWIM LIKE A FISH, BUT ALSO HOW TO TAKE CARE OF MY COUSINS. WHEN SHE WENT ON A SWIM MEET, A LITTLE COUSIN WOULD COME TO STAY AT AUNT MARION'S AND UNCLE FRANK'S. THEN I GOT TO GO STAY WITH HER. I LEARNED TO MAKE THE WORLD'S BEST MATRIMONIAL CAKE AND I MUST SAY A LADY WITH 6 CHILDREN IS VERY ORGANIZED, AND SHE TAUGHT ME THAT. WE ALL KNEW THE WHISTLE AND WOULD COME HOME VERY FAST. SHE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND WE LAUGHED AND LAUGHED. SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO MY COUSINS. LOVE COUSIN DRINDA - Posted by: DRINDA-LEE WOOD ( NEE WILLIE) (NEICE ) on: Apr 01, 2014

• Knowing Cay through Masters Swimming in Manitoba for the past 30 years has been an honour and an inspiration. Her genuine sense of humour, friendliness and encouragement to all made her amazing personal accomplishments even more special. We will always remember her along with the cheerful and supportive smile that Don greeted us with from his "timer's chair" behind the blocks! - Posted by: Sally Boulding (Friend from masters swimming) on: Apr 01, 2014

• Forever remembered by her great whistle, that meant either to hustle home for supper or you better get swimming to the other side. She made the greatest costumes and always had a great story for my Mother. Her honest and positive encouragement was something I am proud to have experienced. My sincerest condolences to the family, may her memories bless you all. - Posted by: Donna Gillis (neighbor, swim student) on: Mar 30, 2014

• Cay was a wonderful swim coach. I remember my time at Sherbrook pool very fondly. As an adult, I finally learned how to swim properly and learned how to do the butterfly stroke. My Sherbrook pool memories are some of my most precious winnipeg memories. When I arrived in Winnipeg and joined the Winnipeg Masters with Cay at the helm, I felt at home. Thank you. - Posted by: Karen Ralcewicz (Masters Swim member) on: Mar 30, 2014

• She was a great supporter of all aquatic sports and a joy to work with at the administrative leve. A life well lived. We shall not see her likes again. - Posted by: Guy Simonis, Vancouver (Friend) on: Mar 29, 2014

• I was grateful to be taught how to swim and also tried some Synchronized swimming which I loved. May you rest in peace Mrs. Kerr :) - Posted by: donna (was a student at sherbrook pool) on: Mar 29, 2014

• In the sixties, Cay gave me the opportunity to teach swimming at Sherbrook Pool. For many years, I swam with her at Chippawa with the Winnipeg Swim group. I liked Cay and admired her many accomplishments. My sympathy to her family. Joanne Brennan - Posted by: Joanne (Campbell) Brennan (Friend) on: Mar 29, 2014