LAROUCHE (née Terefenko): Kathrine ‘Katy’
1928-2025
Loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt passed peacefully Monday September 25 at the age of 96.
Katy was born on October 13 to Ukrainian parents Rose and Fred Terefenko in the tiny village of Racowa Poland.
Sister to Steve, Stella (Smith) and Jean (Grant),
Mother of Greg, Pierre, Tammy and grandmother to Tomas, Camille, Jamie and Max.
At the age of 5 Katy travelled with her mother to join her father who had left 5 years previously to find a better life for his family in Canada. They landed in Hearst, On. in 1933. The small lumber town was a very new experience for Katy. It was a strange world with a new language and customs. Long winters and little money made life quite challenging for all families new to Canada.
The strongest and most powerful memories, as well as lifelong friendships, were created there. As a true people person she cherished those friendships deeply often sharing a story of “so and so “ with a warm smile on her face and a tear in her eye. Katy thrived on being with friends, the more the merrier.
Katy thought higher education and a professional carreer was of utmost importance. Proud to have received her teaching degree at the Pape Avenue “ normal” school she continued to push herself to complete her university degree in Education. When we complained about hard work, Mom reminded us of her first K to 8 teaching experience at the age of 16 in the one-room schoolhouse in Ryland. Walking mikes to school every day she would have to split and haul the wood, make a fire to heat up the room all before school started. Years later she was happy to show us how that school which had been turned into a farm garage and chicken coop.
Her years working with the students and staff of Clayton Brown Public School had a profound effect on her adding so many incredible moments to her live and stories to fill many a book.
Katy had boundless love and energy. A deeply sensitive person, she lived her life through her generous heart. Proud and stubborn sometimes to a fault she was a woman of remarkable resilience and strength. She enjoyed baking (so many Christmas cookies!) traveling, knitting, painting, reading, gardening and volunteering for various organizations but she took her greatest interest in people. Katy felt incredibly fortunate and had a deep sense of gratitude to have had so many wonderful friends that had enriched her life.
For 59 years, Katie shared her life with her beloved husband Rene Larouche building a life and family together. She was the driving force in the home, pushing us to do our best and improve every chance we could. Her small stature but big presence will be missed.
Her family is thankful for the care and support provided by the kind staff at North Bay Regional Hospital and Cartier Facility. This meant the world to her.
We are deeply grateful for her friends whose kindness, care, and love helped cheer mom up and keep her grounded. A special thank you goes to Daphne Lovegrove who did much to assist Katy.
Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for Cousin Shelley and Auntie Jeanie for all their incredible effort to make my mom comfortable and happy these last few years especially in her final months.
A celebration of life will occur at a later date, and all are most welcome. Katy was a lifelong volunteer to the Canadian Cancer Society, and this would be her charity of choice for those who wish to make a donation.
Online memories can be shared at www.martynfh.com
