Obituary for Katherine Muir Grant
With broken hearts, we tell the world our much loved, beautiful, creative and delightful daughter and sister has died of cancer. Katherine Muir Grant (Katie) was a graphic designer who brought advertising and design to a new level for ten years in Toronto. She was thirty nine. She passed far too soon to realize her many hopes and dreams.
She was the daughter of Joe and Judy Grant of Charlottetown, PEI and sister of Susan Grant, of Alberta. Katie was born and raised In Toronto. She received her cancer diagnosis shortly after moving to Vancouver in October where she came to find the job and lifestyle of her dreams.
Katie dealt with her illness the same way she lived her life….with courage, positive thinking, grace, optimism, resilience and wit. She showed great compassion for others, especially those witnessing her treatment journey. Katie loved life and people. She absolutely lit up a room…right to the end.
Katie leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends devastated with their loss. Katie leaves her beloved miniature poodle, Maggie, who embodies Katie’s joyful spirit. She will become sister to her parents’ bichon, Sydney. Katie also will be dearly missed by many family members and friends. Her cousins Lesley and husband Ken, and Marianne of North Vancouver have been exceptionally vigilant in supporting her through her difficult journey, especially during the times her mom, dad or sister couldn’t be in Vancouver. Charlotte Waddell , a special aunt to Katie (George…late cousin) warmed Katie’s heart with her visits. Cousin Helena Hamilton (Clair..late) of Campbell River regularly kept in touch with the family to send support from her and her children. Cousin Jane and husband, Harry and sons Jeff and Ben of North Vancouver, generously offered their house to us during this challenging time. Cousin JoAnn Boyd (Paul…late) selflessly gave us her time to drive us to appointments. Maternal aunts, Charlotte Lucas (George) of White Rock, Heather Bellmore (Brian) of Toronto, Beverley Muir (Gary…late) of Groves Point, Cape Breton and Uncle Fred Mac Donald , of Long River, PEI. were maternal siblings. The aunts and uncle, along with Katie’s cousins, gave Katie and her family enormous and continual support in whatever way they were able. Maternal aunt Charlotte Lucas, living nearest of the maternal siblings, showered Katie with hugs, visits, gifts and enormous amounts of well received healthy food.
Many other friends and family, neighbours, clergy, doctors, care givers for her dad at The Garden Home in PEI , special friends, Viola Evans-Murley, Mark and Arlene MacAusland, ensured her dad was well supported with visits, heartfelt words and prayers as he was physically unable to be with Katie at this critical time.
Katie had an exceptional group of loyal friends. Some included Emma (nee Stuart), and Julie (nee Ogle), Kamila, Chelsea Robinson (Seattle), Kristi Batherson (Port Hood..C.B.), Laurie, (Toronto) and Andrew (Australia).
Special mention must be made of the grounding role of Katie’s mom’s best childhood Cape Breton friend on our support team, Sheila Breckenridge…nee Thorpe (Jim),of Cobourg, Ontario. Sheila was our steady light..our beacon. Sheila could be called day or night, counted on to come armed with her brilliant brand of solid wisdom and practical solutions . Her words, gestures, timely and creatively relevant gifts were soothing and magical balms for Katie and her family. We know how much pain Sheila had to have felt with each contact with us during this time, but she kept her own feelings on the back burner. Katie’s last breath was taken with the comfort of the lovely vibrantly coloured, silky, air light turtle wrap Sheila sent, soothing her. Now that wrap is enjoyed by Maggie at the end of each day. Words can’t express our gratitude for having a friend like Sheila.
We are also most grateful to the high level of care and professionalism given to Katie at the B.C. Cancer Agency, particularly Dr. Tinker’s team and Carolina Radovan, patient and family care practicum student. Katie also experienced exceptionally warm professional care while she was on Unit 7 of Lion’s Gate Hospital and the North Shore Hospice.
We have experienced the healing effects of the acts of kindness by strangers throughout Katie’s illness. We hope you will think of Katie when you do your next random act of kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations to be made to the B.C. Cancer Research Centre: 675 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1L3
https://bccancerfoundation.com
She was the daughter of Joe and Judy Grant of Charlottetown, PEI and sister of Susan Grant, of Alberta. Katie was born and raised In Toronto. She received her cancer diagnosis shortly after moving to Vancouver in October where she came to find the job and lifestyle of her dreams.
Katie dealt with her illness the same way she lived her life….with courage, positive thinking, grace, optimism, resilience and wit. She showed great compassion for others, especially those witnessing her treatment journey. Katie loved life and people. She absolutely lit up a room…right to the end.
Katie leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends devastated with their loss. Katie leaves her beloved miniature poodle, Maggie, who embodies Katie’s joyful spirit. She will become sister to her parents’ bichon, Sydney. Katie also will be dearly missed by many family members and friends. Her cousins Lesley and husband Ken, and Marianne of North Vancouver have been exceptionally vigilant in supporting her through her difficult journey, especially during the times her mom, dad or sister couldn’t be in Vancouver. Charlotte Waddell , a special aunt to Katie (George…late cousin) warmed Katie’s heart with her visits. Cousin Helena Hamilton (Clair..late) of Campbell River regularly kept in touch with the family to send support from her and her children. Cousin Jane and husband, Harry and sons Jeff and Ben of North Vancouver, generously offered their house to us during this challenging time. Cousin JoAnn Boyd (Paul…late) selflessly gave us her time to drive us to appointments. Maternal aunts, Charlotte Lucas (George) of White Rock, Heather Bellmore (Brian) of Toronto, Beverley Muir (Gary…late) of Groves Point, Cape Breton and Uncle Fred Mac Donald , of Long River, PEI. were maternal siblings. The aunts and uncle, along with Katie’s cousins, gave Katie and her family enormous and continual support in whatever way they were able. Maternal aunt Charlotte Lucas, living nearest of the maternal siblings, showered Katie with hugs, visits, gifts and enormous amounts of well received healthy food.
Many other friends and family, neighbours, clergy, doctors, care givers for her dad at The Garden Home in PEI , special friends, Viola Evans-Murley, Mark and Arlene MacAusland, ensured her dad was well supported with visits, heartfelt words and prayers as he was physically unable to be with Katie at this critical time.
Katie had an exceptional group of loyal friends. Some included Emma (nee Stuart), and Julie (nee Ogle), Kamila, Chelsea Robinson (Seattle), Kristi Batherson (Port Hood..C.B.), Laurie, (Toronto) and Andrew (Australia).
Special mention must be made of the grounding role of Katie’s mom’s best childhood Cape Breton friend on our support team, Sheila Breckenridge…nee Thorpe (Jim),of Cobourg, Ontario. Sheila was our steady light..our beacon. Sheila could be called day or night, counted on to come armed with her brilliant brand of solid wisdom and practical solutions . Her words, gestures, timely and creatively relevant gifts were soothing and magical balms for Katie and her family. We know how much pain Sheila had to have felt with each contact with us during this time, but she kept her own feelings on the back burner. Katie’s last breath was taken with the comfort of the lovely vibrantly coloured, silky, air light turtle wrap Sheila sent, soothing her. Now that wrap is enjoyed by Maggie at the end of each day. Words can’t express our gratitude for having a friend like Sheila.
We are also most grateful to the high level of care and professionalism given to Katie at the B.C. Cancer Agency, particularly Dr. Tinker’s team and Carolina Radovan, patient and family care practicum student. Katie also experienced exceptionally warm professional care while she was on Unit 7 of Lion’s Gate Hospital and the North Shore Hospice.
We have experienced the healing effects of the acts of kindness by strangers throughout Katie’s illness. We hope you will think of Katie when you do your next random act of kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations to be made to the B.C. Cancer Research Centre: 675 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1L3
https://bccancerfoundation.com