Catherine (Cate) Norma Drage (Everett), 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 24 , 2018 in her home in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, surrounded by her family.

Cate dedicated her life to helping others, especially disadvantaged children. She spent many years as a volunteer with UNICEF, Bonny Lea Farm and Verge House. She loved people and was interested in knowing the story behind everyone she met. She had a keen memory for the details of people’s lives and was quick to engage in conversation and connect with others.

Cate was born in Toronto in 1936 and grew up in Ottawa. She attended Carleton College and became a teacher in the late 1950s. Cate taught elementary school in rural Ontario and England. Upon her return to Canada, she worked as a journalist at the Ottawa Journal. She married her husband, Peter, in Ottawa in 1960 and moved to Halifax. Cate and Peter had three children and lived in England, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and New Brunswick before returning to Nova Scotia to retire in the 1990s.

Cate had many interests including travel, gardening, animals, reading and rug-hooking. Her first solo travel adventure began in Europe as a young school teacher at the age of 20 and she subsequently travelled around continental Europe on a moped staying in hostels. Later in life she visited numerous countries throughout the world with her family, passing her love of travel on to her sons and granddaughter. In recent years, she shared her love of reading with her book club friends and rug hooking talents with her rug hooking group.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Drage, son, John Drage (Susan), son, David Drage (Erin), granddaughter, Tashi Drage, brother, Chuck Everett (Marg), niece, Shannon Everett (Terry) and grandniece, Emma. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mandy Drage, her father, Charles Everett and her mother, Norma Everett.

Cate and her family wish to thank her family doctor, Dr. Heather Johnson, her palliative care team at the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, VON and Home Care for their excellent medical care, professionalism and compassion during her illness.

A memorial service will be held at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3 in Lunenburg at 2 pm, on Thursday, November 29, 2018, Rev. David Maginley, officiating. A reception will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Bonny Lea Farm or the Shaid Tree Animal Shelter.

www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca