Born to Maurice Gerald and Sheila Mary Dunn, on August 26, 1940, Catherine was the cheeky middle child, sandwiched between her sister Maureen and brother Michael. She was educated at Siena College where she was always top of her class. Having to leave school early after the death of her father, Catherine completed her HSC subjects by correspondence, whilst raising 4 teenagers. She later achieved a Degree in Professional Writing and Editing from Deakin University.
Catherine met Kevin through St Dominic’s Parish, – it was a love story that would last 61 years. Kevin tried to propose when Catherine was 19, however, her mother sent him packing. She told him to change his football team and try his luck again when she was 21. They got married on her 21st birthday.
Her children write that “Mum embodied compassion and volunteered generously… her earliest volunteer position was at the Noah’s Ark children’s toy library for disabled children. She went on to volunteer at Meals on Wheels, Mary Mackillop Coffee Shop, and the Holy Family “Care Group” for bereaved families. She used her writing skills to collect and edit a collection of stories written by parents of children with Downs Syndrome, even when her recovery from a severe stroke impeded her progress. She also wrote biographies for the terminally ill, as a part of the Eastern Palliative Care network. Mum was so great at that job because people always felt at ease around her – like they could tell her anything – even their greatest fears.” But, they say, her greatest work was done within her own family. “She was affectionately known as “Katie Courts”, and she tended to her devoted husband, Kevin Francis, her 5 children, their partners, and her treasured 9 grandchildren with the greatest love, affection and warmth. But she was also hugely creative in other ways. She did classes in painting, cooking and metalwork. She read voraciously and discussed her insights with two different book groups. She learnt and played Bridge. She opened a florist in Melbourne’s CBD in the 1960s which she adored. She loved history and her historic walks with U3A, as well as delving into her own family roots.
Her social grace was second to none; never intimidated, she could genuinely talk to anyone. She hosted dinner parties, black-tie events, dress up parish parties, Christmas morning gatherings, and most importantly New Year’s bashes at Portsea.
She was devoted to the Richmond Tigers. She played tennis with her friends at Holy Family Parish, and it was the birth of a group of lifelong friends. She was also dedicated to Sorrento Golf Club and Riversdale Golf club. Mum would turn up to play rain, hail or shine, to hit some balls and see her wonderful golf friends.”
Kev, Gab and Lou write “if there was one word to describe Mum, it would be “nurturer”. She nurtured her precious garden, where she and Dad spent hours each weekend, pottering happily together. She nurtured those who were suffering, with her cooking, with her kindness, with a warm bed. She nurtured members of the community with her empathy and compassion. She nurtured her precious friends with her energy and excellent company. She was tough – a fighter who cheated death on 4 occasions, and so brave when she received her recent diagnosis. She was an optimist, and always tried to see the bright side. Her catch-phrase “tomorrow’s a new day” is something that brought her family comfort – it spoke of new beginnings, new hope, and the chance to put a heartbreaking day behind you and start again. It was one of her great life lessons to her children.
We are honoured to have been the lucky blooms, sprouted from Mum’s garden of life, and to have been tended to with such love. “
Vale Katie Courts.
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
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