Tribute

A life well lived

On October 25th, 2012, Catherine Clark Hahn left the world just as she lived in it: with grace and peace, surrounded by family, loving and fiercely loved through the end. Those who knew her were the lucky ones.

Life is all about choices, and Catherine’s was filled with good ones. Daily she chose to see the beauty and joy of ‘regular’ life, ever grateful for “the sun and the rain and the apple seed”. She greeted each morning with a resounding “Good Morning, World!” and carried that enthusiasm through all of her many family and community commitments. In every setting her vitality, energy, and affirmation of life had a way of rubbing off on everyone around her. In all things, she used her heart, her hands and her mind for the good of others. 

Born in Toronto to Ainsley and Elizabeth Atkins, raised and educated in Vancouver, Catherine lived the orchard life in Oliver for nearly forty years with great joy. She loved the work, the beauty of nature, and the rural setting for raising a family.

Big sister to five rambunctious siblings, Catherine perfected the art of caring for others early. She had a unique gift of recognizing and appreciating the talents in others, seeing and believing in their potential. The most natural mum, she was constant in her guidance, honesty and example, loving without reservation. She will be remembered most as chief cheerleader for her family.

Catherine spent five happy years married to Holger Mundel, who died tragically, and 34 happy years married to her ‘knight in shining armor’, Gordon Hahn.  Side by side with Gordon, Catherine worked tirelessly: farming, raising four children, creating a joy filled home. She also found time and energy to contribute to the quality of life in Oliver through quietly committed volunteering. 

Catherine’s natural gift for listening to and caring about others won the hearts and trust of many. She was known for meeting strangers in the orchard, the grocery line-up, or the gas station, making instant connections, and welcoming them into her home… sometimes for months.

Catherine leaves a huge family that will always remember her with laughter and love, including the extended Atkins, Hahn and Mundel clans. Joining the family in this loss are countless friends who have been touched by Catherine’s love and life.

To the community Catherine so loved, thank you for your outpouring of support. Special thanks to Dr. Margaret Myslek for her compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, Catherine would be honoured by donations made in her memory to the South Okanagan Concert Society (Box 306, Oliver BC, V0H 1T0), an organization dear to her heart.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday October 29, 2012 at the Oliver Alliance Church.