Obituary of Catherine Phinney

With sadness but much thanksgiving for a long and wonderful life, we acknowledge the peaceful passing of our mother (and grandmother) Catherine Kitty Jane (Combley) Phinney in the Veterans Unit, Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton, Anna. Co., on Sunday April 24th, 2011. Born October 1, 1913 in Greytown, Saskatchewan, to Pearl Susan (Mills) and James Edwards Combley (formerly of Urchfont, Wiltshire, England), and orphaned by age 5, mom was lovingly raised by her maternal grandparents Dorcas Jane (Stonehouse) and Milford Mills who emigrated to the Canadian West from Cumberland Co., in 1895. Mom received her formal education in Corning and Windthorst, Sask., and achieved her Grade 10 Royal Conservatory piano. Throughout her life, she loved all forms of music and taught piano until her 88th year, beginning that career on a new piano, a gift from her grandfather and transported from Ontario to Corning by train, then horse and wagon. She especially enjoyed playing the piano for her veteran comrades which she did until Nov. 2010. As a young woman, she was a pianist with the Corning Orchestra and local dance bands including a thrilling guest spot with Bert Niosi (Canadas King of Swing) and The Happy Gang Band. She often played organ and piano in all the communities and church congregations where she lived as well as the trombone while in the Army. It gave her great delight to see her grandchildren, indeed all children, learn to play any musical instrument! In later years, mom participated in the Aylesford Handbell Choir, as well as piano duets with her good friend Theresa Phillips (Dutch Masons mother) at the Seniors Expos. In 1942, mom joined the war effort, enlisting in the CWAC (Canadian Womens Army Corps). She received her basic training in Gananoque, and was then stationed in Petawawa, Ont., working as a communications stenographer. Here she began many life long friendships, especially that of her best friend Betty (Bongard) Alyea. Honorably discharged in 1944 due to TB, Mom recovered for a year in the San in Ft. QuAppelle, Sask. In 1945, a young student minister on a summer mission field arrived in Corning, Sask., with arrangements to board at the home of Moms Grampa Milford Mills. The attraction between Frank Phinney and Kitty Combley was immediateand they were married in 1946. Mom adjusted easily to her new role, as Dads partner in Christian ministry and they formed close and lasting relationships with people in the charges they served in Radville, Sask., Aberdeen/Vonda, Sask., Upper Musquodoboit/ Dean, N.S., Waterville/ Woodville (Valley), Souris, PEI. and Reserve Mines/ Newcomb, Cape Breton where Frank took ill in 1975.The work of the church, as she put it, was an important part of Moms entire life, and involvement in Explorers, CGIT, Sunday School, WMS (later known as the UCW), Mission Band groups, Presbytery and an Elder of Aylesford United Church were second nature to her. While Mom perhaps would never have viewed herself as a social activist for womens rights and abilities, she in fact espoused those values, and seeing a need,established a UCW unit in Waterville the women of that congregation conveying their appreciation by naming it The Catherine Phinney Unit. She firmly believed that her Christian faith made it possible for her to go forward especially during difficult times in her life. Although always so very proud of and interested in her children, son and daughters-in-law and grandchildren, mom also had many other interests in life including travel (extensively throughout Canada and USA, the British Isles, and Trinidad), a love of animals (especially horses and dogs), square dancing, gardening and nurturing her geraniums, the art of letter writing and her precious cabin on The Island. She particularly enjoyed visiting her friends and neighbors, often dropping off little gifts of her bright pansies, delicious butter tarts or mock cherry pie, or taking friends for drives among the colored leaves or for picnics along the Bay of Fundy. She drove her car till 92 years of age. For the last few years, Mom enjoyed her home in the Veterans Unit where she received excellent and loving care from her nurses and indeed all staff. Mom was predeceased by her soul mate and dear husband Rev. Frank Phinney, her beloved parents, parents-in-law Will and Florence Phinney (Melvern Square), grandparents, Aunt Ethel and Uncle Harold Mills and cousins Lionel and Nelson, and baby brother Charles (in infancy), daughter-in-law Michelle Phinney, sister-in-law Irene Cowdery and best friend Betty (Doug) Alyea (Picton, Ont). Left to cherish beautiful memories of her life are her daughter Linda, son-in-law Robert Hale (New Glasgow), and grandsons Greg (Canmore, Alta), Jonathan and his fiance Odette Burns (Whitehorse, YT), and David (Halifax); son Norman, daughter-in-law Margie (Dempsey Corner) and grandsons Scott(Edmonton, Alta), Nathan and Jason (at home); son Gordon and his fiance, Sharlene Christianson and grandsons Parker and Marren (Ardrossan, Alta); son John, daughter-in-law Cindy (Weltons Corner ) grandson Aaron and granddaughter Amy and great grandson Elijah. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30 from the Aylesford United Church, Aylesford. Rev. Michael Mugford assisted by Rev. Wayne Mitton officiating. Interment will take place in Church Grove Cemetery, Melvern Square. Visitation will be held 7-9 pm Friday evening in the Annapolis Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook (Exit 14). Visitation in the church (Aylesford), Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Catherine may be made to the SPCA; Berwick UC Camp; Aylesford United Church; Victorian Order of Nurses; Pineridge School Music Program; or to a charity of choice. On line condolences may be made through www.annapolisvalleyfuneralhome.com Scripture Proverbs 31:28 NKJV ???Her children rise up & call her blessed??