In loving memory of Catherine “Cathy” Hamilton Kereliuk, who passed away June 16, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Cathy was born in Winnipeg, MB on March 1, 1947 to Zina and Fred Clemenger. Her family relocated to Fort Frances, where Cathy attended her school years. Cathy lost her mom at a very young age, in time her dad remarried Lou, giving Cathy an instant family of four sisters; Mary Lou, Diane, Rose and Doreen.
In 1963, she married and had 2 sons; Shawn and Gary, which were her pride and joy. The family moved to Dryden in 1972, and opened Aroma Pizza with Keith and Renee Hyatt. Having 2 boys and a business kept Cathy very busy. In 1978, Cathy changed careers and went to work at the Bay, later deciding to work at the Dairy Queen as a bookkeeper. In 1985, she met her soul mate and the love of her life Greg Wagar and they spent her last 25 years together, doing things they both enjoyed, especially small trips to the casino and fishing and gardening. To Cathy family came first, in 1993, Cathy’s first grandson Jonathan arrived and you couldn’t take the smile off her face. In 1996 came Matthew and gramma loved spending as much time as she could with them. Cathy was very proud of each and every accomplishment of the children and grandchildren.
In 1990 as well as working at Dairy Queen, Cathy also took on full-time employment helping her sons reopen Aroma Pizza. Cathy retired from Dairy Queen in 1998, going to work for her son Shawn, as he expanded Aroma Pizza into a restaurant and retired in 2008. Cathy also had a soft spot for her pets and loved them all dearly.
She will be greatly missed by her husband Greg Wagar, sons Shawn, Terri-anne and Gary Kereliuk, grandsons; Jonathan and Matthew, sisters Mary Lou (Dennis) Allen, Rose (Joe) Trembly, Diane (Gary) Miller, Doreen (Ron) Morrison, mother-in-law Eileen Wagar, sisters-in-law; Carol (Syl) Fedorchuk, Marlene (Peter) Lecuyer, numerous nieces and nephews. Cathy was predeceased by her parents Zina and Fred, Lou Clemenger, as well as father-in-law Carmen Wagar.
As per Cathy’s wishes cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 30th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Ukrainian Hall in Dryden, Ontario. If friends, so desire, donations maybe made to Northern Cancer Research through the Dryden Community Funeral Home 249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, P8N 2X3.
