“The life and death of each of us has its effect on others”. These words of St. Paul have been constant in my mind since the January 5th memorial service in honour of Catherine Finlayson. London’s beautiful Colborne Street United Church was crammed to the rafters with family, friends, colleagues and people whose professional, philanthropic or business lives were personally touched by Catherine’s loving presence and outreach over the past forty years.
At the time of her death on Dec. 28, 2017, Catherine was the Executive Director, Advancement and Alumni at Fanshawe College as well as Executive Director of the Fanshawe College Foundation. It was in the latter connection that Sister Joan Atkinson and I were present at her memorial service. Almost a decade ago, the Sisters of St. Joseph made a sizable donation to Fanshawe College to establish the Sisters of St. Joseph Bursary for single mothers. This bursary enables single mothers to attend Fanshawe College and earn diplomas in various fields and find satisfying employment. Throughout the intervening years, we have admired Catherine’s dedication to her work, enhancing the bursary and spreading it to other Fanshawe campuses. Last fall, Catherine and a colleague took several members of our congregation on a tour of the Clinton and Goderich campuses. Although her health was failing, she went out of her way to make the day pleasant, interesting and informative.
Since Catherine was not one to talk about herself, it was inspiring to be present at her memorial service and learn of the magnitude of her influence in London and surrounding areas. This poised and engaging woman cared deeply that individuals and groups be successful and prosper. Due to her efforts through education, journalism, mentorship, fundraising and charitable giving, many received the assistance they needed to be successful in a multitude of ways.
Catherine will be missed deeply by her loving husband James MacNeil, her four adult children, their spouses, her grandchildren and all those whose lives she touched through helping others. She was a faith-filled, successful and treasured advocate for good. Now, her works shine as bright stars in the heavens.
Jean Moylan, CSJ