Obituary of Catherine Audrey Lambert

Age 71 of Halifax died surrounded by loved ones on December 5, 2019. Born the second child of Percy and Kathleen (Lane) Lambert, Catherine grew up in North End Halifax which remained her love, and to which she returned late in life after many moves and travels for schooling and for work. Catherine spent her life’s work in Social Work. She obtained her Master of Arts degree from Goddard College, Vermont in what was a life-changing experience. She later achieved a Master of Social Work degree from McGill University.  Catherine worked in women’s shelters in Toronto and Halifax, and various child protection and clinical positions. She was honoured to finish her career on the much-loved County East team of the Nova Scotia Hospital. Catherine sought family, and found it with Arthur, Catherine the Elder, and their children whom she babysat from a young age, and who remained life-long friends. She found it with Judy, her partner of more than twenty-nine years, and with Judy’s family. At her best Catherine was a free spirit, singing at the top of her lungs at questionable pitch, dancing to a rhythm only she could hear, running like the wind, wearing the wildest socks ever, walking the dog late at night in her nightgown and rubber boots. She took the greatest pleasure in little things, the shadow cast on the wall by the hanging fern, a tease from a work colleague, a shared glass of single malt, a night at the theatre, an endless number of pets, the VIA train to anywhere, and most of all, children. She was an avid reader, a poet, a gifted photographer, a marathon runner.  She loved to garden.  She loved to bake. She had a talent for making things special. She loved to smile. Catherine would want you to remember that though life is hard sometimes it is meant to be lived. She would want you to take your social responsibility to others seriously, to nurture children, to care for animals, to protect nature, to laugh, and to love deeply. She would want you to challenge oppression and strive for rights. She would want you to be eternally optimistic and see possibilities.  Mostly, she would want you to know that mostly, people are doing the best they can. Catherine spent her last years in the safety of Evan Hall and Point Pleasant Way, Parkstone.  Special thanks is extended to the staff in both units who cared for her with kindness and respect. Arrangements are under the care of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd. There will be a private gathering of close friends and loved ones in Catherine’s memory at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish may celebrate Catherine’s life through donations in her name to the Ecology Action Centre, the SPCA, or to a children’s charity of your choice.