TRIBUTE
C atherine was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2019, and after a successful course of treatment she went into remission, ringing the bell in December 2019. Sadly, in March 2020, she was diagnosed with secondary cancer in the brain, but this time the treatment wasn’t successful. She returned home from hospital in May before spending her final few weeks in NI Hospice, passing away in October 2020. In her last few days, Catherine asked Davy to set up a fundraiser for the NI Hospice Charity. Davy says, “I wasn’t completely aware of what a hospice did before Catherine went in there, but I quickly had my eyes opened. The NI Hospice is a fantastic facility with the most caring, professional staff. They showed Catherine the utmost respect and dignity every minute of every day.” Respecting her wishes, Davy has been fundraising and at the time of going to press, has raised over £5,300 for the NI Hospice charity. Hearing about Catherine’s wishes, Jonathan Martindale of Phoenix Gas said he would like to organise a gas industry event in support of the NI Hospice charity in 2021 - Covid-19 restrictions permitting. Honouring her wishes
backstage 10 minutes before they were due on stage to present their respective awards. Fairly straightforward you would think, and it proved to be for all awards sponsors, except for Catherine. To this day I still think she was giving the new kid in the industry a test. One minute before Catherine was due up on stage she was within arm’s length of me, however, as the compere called out, “Ladies and gentlemen here to present our next award…” I looked around and Catherine was gone. I darted out to the main foyer area and spotted Catherine at the end of the hall chatting away to an industry colleague. As I guldered down the foyer to Catherine that she was being called to stage she glanced at me as if to say, “What are you getting all worked up about,” and in her own time made her way to the stage. As I sweated on what my old boss, Jim Tait, was going to say about me failing the one job I had to get right on the night – Catherine gracefully entered the stage, not a care in the world and lit up the room like she often did. At many events across the last 20 years, we have reflected on the ability of our industry to deliver high levels of success while building and maintaining lifelong friendships. For me, Catherine epitomised these values and in doing so will leaving a legacy that will ripple across our industry for many, many years to come. When it comes to our working lives, while we all strive for success and to better ourselves in various ways, we ultimately want to have shared this working journey with likeminded people that made the tougher time that little bit easier. Catherine for me, and many others, was a jewel in the crown in this regard.” Barry Lowe, Regional Sales Manager, PTS Ireland & MD Ireland “I had the pleasure of knowing Catherine for 20 years and had many business dealings with her. She was always available, always
helpful, always upbeat and really good at her job. We became very good friends. She was a fantastic listener and we had some brilliant conversations over the years during which she always gave me great advice. But it’s outside of work that I will sorely miss her the most. She was always up for a laugh and had a gin selection second to none. She always wanted to help others. One time we arranged a skydive together with other friends for Autism NI, which was a brilliant experience, but it was during the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ industry event for ‘Energy For Children’, that we really became closer. All the dancers became great friends and created a bond that will always be there. I was very fortunate to spend time with her in her home in the last few weeks. I think about her daily and can’t believe she is gone. I often go to call her and realise that she is no longer there and that is when it hits home that a friend is gone forever. I miss my friend Catherine and know that a lot of people do too. A big loss to the plumbing and heating industry and a big loss to me personally.” TinyWeatherill, Manager, Plumb Master “I have known Catherine as far back as her Ferroli days and formed a great friendship with her. We got really close when we were paired to dance together for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ charity event in April 2018; she put a lot of trust in me with some of the moves we had to perform. Those were the happiest five to six months I have spent in this trade. Catherine always knew how to make your day better. We had many great laughs and stories after each session of rehearsal and we got to know each other on a more personal level. I think of her daily and hardly a working day goes by that a customer mentions her. She made me a better person and for that I will be eternally grateful, I miss you Catherine, until we meet again.”
46 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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