Catherine Hennessey, 1933-2026

The news that my longtime friend, neighbour, and mentor Catherine Hennessey died this week at age 92, leaves me at a loss for words. 

I am flooded by scores of memories—hauling her pig to the butcher in the back of her pickup truck (the one with the plywood dashboard), her driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Boston, being handed pears and chocolate in a bag to take home for dessert on the day Olivia was born, endless macaroni and cheese.

Too many to neatly summarize into a picture of a friendship and a life.

So I will, for now at least, just post this sketch I drew, in 2018, of Catherine standing in front of her apartment door at Harbourside.

A sketch, in pen and watercolour, of Catherine Hennessey, standing in front of her apartment door at Harbourside.
Peter Rukavina
Catherine Hennessey
Death

Comments

Submitted by Keith Burgoyne on

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I'm so sorry, Peter. Everyone knows her, or her work. A marvelous human. A tireless custodian of our collective heritage.

Submitted by Yvonne Hanson on

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I’m so sorry Peter. Catherine is/was a legend in so many ways. Even a non-islander like me had my time in her company - always her door open for tea, lively discussions and a quick wit. She had a delicious personality that drew you in. Memories of her will be eternal.

Submitted by Deirdre Kessler on

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Hello Peter and thank you for writing about Catherine. It is impossible to consider this Island without her. She was brilliant, funny, a rebel to her core, and kept P.E.I. afloat. I was away for death in my family & had written in my daybook for Monday, March 2nd: visit CH. Have been checking Island necrology for an obituary. If there is a gathering, will you let me know please? 902-314-8353. Thanks, Peter.

Kim Devine/Elizabeth Doucette: Sad news friends. One of Charlottetown‘s most beloved citizens, Catherine Hennessey, passed away peacefully this morning at the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home. At her request, there will be no wake or funeral. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In honour of Catherine, raise a glass, walk our historic streets and remember her motto: Know it, Love it, Protect it.

Submitted by vbj on

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I feel like I knew her through your blog. Cleary a huge personal loss for you and one for the entire island.
Thank you for sharing her with everyone in this space.

Submitted by Karen Mair on

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Peter, I will always be grateful for your helping Catherine become one of PEI’s first ‘bogglers’. I’ve been thumbing through my copy of catherinehennessey.com Like you I’m at a loss for words, but know she’s loving the celebration. As she taught us to say,
Luv luv,
Karen

Submitted by Julie Dowling on

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I know you will go to great lengths to see that Catherine's wishes are carried out in her commemoration. Ivan and I were great friends until problems with aging kept us apart. If I can, I would like to be at her "gathering. She often spoke to me about how she did NOT want to be buried in the conventional way. I will follow your blog to stay in the loop. My sympathies on the loss of your wonderful friend. Julie Dowling

Kim Devine/Elizabeth Doucette: Sad news friends. One of Charlottetown‘s most beloved citizens, Catherine Hennessey, passed away peacefully this morning at the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home. At her request, there will be no wake or funeral. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In honour of Catherine, raise a glass, walk our historic streets and remember her motto: Know it, Love it, Protect it.

Submitted by Julie Dowling on

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My sympathies on the loss of your wonderful friend. I know you will go to great lengths to see that her wishes are carried out in here commemoration. If at all possible, I would like to attend her "gathering." Ivan and I enjoyed her friendship for many years until problems with aging kept us apart.

Kim Devine/Elizabeth Doucette: Sad news friends. One of Charlottetown‘s most beloved citizens, Catherine Hennessey, passed away peacefully this morning at the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home. At her request, there will be no wake or funeral. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In honour of Catherine, raise a glass, walk our historic streets and remember her motto: Know it, Love it, Protect it.

Submitted by Krista-Lee Chr… on

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I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. She must have been one of the most interesting people you know.

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About This Blog

Photo of Peter RukavinaI am . I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.

To learn more about me, read my /now,  look at my bio, listen to audio I’ve posted, read presentations and speeches I’ve written, or get in touch (peter@rukavina.net is the quickest way). 

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