Cathy Yorke-Slader

Dear Neil,

So sorry for your loss. Cathy was such a special person to so many people. Her funeral was beautiful and a true tribute to her rich and rewarding life. Her time on earth was too short, but the lives that she impacted so significant. I can only hope that the memories will somehow ease the loss for yourself, Dean and Drew.

Think of you all so often,

Tammy

I had the pleasure of getting to know Cathy Lynn while we were students at Queen’s and we remained in touch during the nearly two decades since we graduated. I last saw Cathy when she and her family were visiting the Washington, D.C. area where I live. My husband and I spent a day with Neil, Cathy, and little Drew - Dean was very much on the way – and I treasure the memory. I send to Cathy’s loved ones my deepest condolences. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Neil, Drew, Dean, Ray, Carol and extended family:

My mom answered Cathy's "stepdancing lessons" ad in the newspaper 27 years ago and from that I gained several things. To name just a few...a talent I will never give up, unforgettable friends and memories from the fiddle/stepdance circuit, a "big sister", and the courage and belief to get past any obstacle, no matter how big. Cathy was an inspiration and I will never forget what she has done for me or her contribution to who I am today. My thoughts are with you as you get through the days ahead.

Neil, over the years, I've thought of you often - I have such fond memories of the years I had you as a teacher. I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Cathy was an amazing woman and after her courageous battle, she is an inspiration to everyone who is affected by the disease. I just wanted to extend my deepest condolences and let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely Michelle Arseneault (former JS Woodsworth student and NACJB member)

My name is Drew Yorke-Slader, and I was Cathy's eldest son. I am signing this guestbook because the most important things in my life were my mom and dad. Now I am searching for another important person. I have found that person. It is all of you who have signed this guestbook. All of you cared for my mom so much and I love every single one of you for that. Next time you look into the sky, think of her.

" To love is to receive a glance of heaven"

"Say not in grief she is no more but live in thankfulness that she was"

I went to ADHS from 92-97 and was taught every year by Mrs. Yorke-Slader. Music and band are among my most fond memories of my high school career. It is not easy to lose someone who is valued and cherished by so many. My condolences to everyone who knew Cathy.

**We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.**
---

It is with great sadness that I learned of Cathy's passing. She was truly a bright light that was extinguished way too soon.

Dear Neil and Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear of the Cathy Lynn's death. My heart goes out to all of you and I trust that you take comfort in knowing that she was deeply admired by all. Cathy Lynn's legacy of courage, determination and love will carry on and will be felt in the hearts of those who knew her best. It was a privilege for me to know her.

Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences. Ms. Yorke-Slader taught us so much and we were blessed to have had her as a teacher at ADHS. She will be missed by many.

Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences.-Psalms 119:50,52

To Cathy's family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you at this time. I know Cathy is dancing now in the great "Fiddle Park", with Mom and Dad tapping their toes, surrounded by our many friends who arrived before her. I will cherish the fond memories I have of Cathy. She was loved by many and will forever be missed.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dear Neil,
You must know how much we love all of you. Cathy-Lynn was the bravest person I ever met, and I have met a few. Know that our thoughts and prayers are not far from you and Drew and Dean. I hope to see you and the boys one of these days. We will keep in touch.
You are loved. Sorry I couldn't be there. Mary Herron

Dear Neil & boys:
We were so saddened to hear about your loss. We knew Cathy Lynn to be a special, very determined person, and someone who never compromised her values - we respected her. We want you to know that we feel very blessed to have known her.

Dear Mr. Yorke-Slader and family:
I am a former student of yours from Meadowlands Middle School (1982). My family and I are Stittsville residents, and we have been following Cathy's crusade closely in the Stittsville Signal/Weekender and the Stittsville EMC. Cathy was an inspiration to everyone. I am very saddened to hear of your loss, and you and your sons will continue to be in my thoughts, as you often have been over the years. You contributed to my love of music, and I have read that Cathy was dedicated to the love of music and teaching. I will think of you and Cathy when my children are inspired by music.

Sincerest condolences

Dear Yorke-Slater and McIntosh families,
So sorry to hear about your loss. Kathy and I were roommates our first year at Queen's. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her stories about her family, stepdancing and music.
Please know that you are all in my prayers.

Cathy's Family,
We never had the pleasure of meeting Cathy personally but followed her story through the local newspapers and would occassionally see her in the community or at our children's school. Her courage,strength and determination gave us hope and inspiration as we watched our daughter fight her battle against cancer. Sadly, our daughter lost her six year battle a week before Cathy at the age of 14. We want you to know that Cathy was an inspiration to everyone and set an example that we should all strive to live by. Our very deepest sympathies.

Neil, Boys and Family of Cathy Lynn,
My sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies, wishing you the best through this hard time and remembering with you all, all of the nice times and thoughtfulness of Cathy Lynn.

It has saddened me deeply to hear of your loss. Cathy didn't hesitate to reach out to me when I received my diagnosis in 2003. Over the last 3 and a half years since then, she has been very compassionate, encouraging, determined and hopeful despite all she was going through. We shared information and questions, and got to know each other again via e-mail. I hope she knows how much she helped me. I hope that in some small way, I helped her too. Cathy has touched my life in a way I will never, ever forget. She will always be in my heart. I will continue to "run for the cure" and Cathy-Lynn's name will always be on my shirt as one of the people I will be running for.

Ray,Carole & Family:

It is whith great sadness that I here about Cathy Lynn. I have not seen here in many years, but I had heard that she was sick. We truly have lost one of the greatest stepdancers of all time. Cathy like myself was from the old school of dancing, neat, close to the floor, and terrific rhythm. Thats the way I remember it and always will. I am sure that she is dancing up in heaven now with Bob Ranger on the fiddle playing "Uncle Henry's Reel" and Graham cording on the piano. I can remember back in the early 80's in Eaganville, Ontario when the judges tied Cathy and I three times in the Open finals. I will surley miss her style of stepdancing. That was traditional. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Sincerely:

Eldon Ostrom
Bryson, Quebec

To the Yorke-Slader and McIntosh families,
We want to express our deepest sympathy in your time of sadness and sorrow. Cathy left many good memories from over the years.

Neil, Drew,& Dean,
Remember what cancer cannot do-
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot steal eternal life,
And it cannot conquer the Spirit.
We will all miss Cathy Lynn very much.
She has given our children so much of herself.We are grateful for that. Words right now aren't enough. May you somehow find the strength and courage that Cathy Lynn had for so many years.
May she rest in Peace and God keep her forever.

Hi Dean
My name is Dragonfly(Kate),I was a beaver leader when you were in 1st Stittsville Beavers, Colony A. I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is really really hard. I will be thinking about you and your brother and your Dad.
Take care
Dragonfly/Kate

Mr. Yorke-Slader and family,
I know that no words will ease the pain of this loss. As a former student of EOM, I was blessed by having both you and Mrs. Yorke-Slader as music teachers. She taught her students to be proud of our abilities and to strive for what we wanted. God used her to touch all who were around her and that mark won't soon fade. Our hopes and prayers are will you all. God Bless.

Dear Neil, Drew & Dean,
We are saddened by the news of Cathy's passing. We will keep you, your families and Cathy in our prayers.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Cathy Lynn's family at this time. It must be comforting to know the many lives that she has touched. It was so wonderful to see Cathy Lynn again this summer at the Bobcageon Contest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerly,
Judy Nieberlien Waymouth and family

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

With love,

Carole, Ray and Family -

Our Deepest Sympathy and Thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I have heard many great things about Cathy over the years, and I know all the good things she stood for will continue on in the hearts of those who knew her. Her courage and determination are an inspiration to all.

Mr. Yorke-Slader and family,

I was shocked and very sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and condolences are with you.

Dear Neil, Drew and Dean;
Please accept our deepest sympathies - you're in our hearts and thoughts.
Much love,

We last saw Cathy in May on Neil's birthday, and she made us a beautiful lunch. We sat outside and enjoyed a wonderful day and lots of laughs. We'll always remember how well she looked! She was the bravest person we ever met. Our love to Neil, Drew & Dean and the McIntosh family as well.

Laura Robertson & Steve Hornett

Dear Family of Cathy-Lynn Yorke-Slader,
I have not seen Cathy-Lynn for years, but have remained aware of all her work in music education through the OMEA and the students she encouraged to study music who came to Queen's University. She was so thoughtful, energetic, musical and practical in her approach to music education. We were so lucky to have her with us. As great a loss as her death is to the music education profession and to her students, that loss does not compare to yours. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Neil, Drew, Dean and Cathy's entire family:
Even though Cathy has been taken from us way too soon, she has left a part of herself in all of us. She did everything with passion and with determination.
Here's hoping she's enjoying God's music now! May she live on in our hearts forever.

Mr & Mrs McIntosh & Cathy's family,

I went to public school and high school with Cathy. We were very good friends back then, but as you get older and get involved with family, you don't always keep in touch.
Over the years I have thought alot about Cathy, wondering what she was doing. I was very upset when I heard that she was sick. Cathy was very talented with all that she did from her singing, to her dancing, figure skating & musical instruments. I didn't know Cathy as we grew older but knowing her as a younger person, I know she was a beautiful person on the inside as well as the outside in later years.
My sincere condolences,
Penny Lynn Little (Kallies)

Dear Neil, Drew, and Dean: We are so sorry for your loss. Cathy was truly a wonderful person, and she will be dearly missed.

Dear Neil, Drew, and Dean:

Simple words are not sufficient to honour a dear friend and teacher who taught me so much more than music. Cathy Lynn taught me what was important in life (family, friends, faith, strength, courage) and it was these lessons that changed my life.

Dear Neil and Family,
Colin and I were so sad to hear about Cathy. She was such a highly respected music teacher and she fought so hard, for so long. I didn't know she was also a champion stepdancer until this fall, when she was kind enough to offer valued information for my daughter regarding dance teachers. I wish I had been able to meet her.
May you find comfort in each other at this time.
Carla MacGregor and Colin Williamson

Dear Neil, Drew, & Dean;
Our deepest sympathies. Cathy was a very sweet and special person, she will be greatly missed by all. God Bless you.

Dear Drew and Family,
We were sad to hear of the passing of your Mom.
Sincerely,

Ray, Carole and Family,

Thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Cathy will always be in my heart and soul as we grew and learned so much as young adults. We take for granted our old friends and just assume that we will see them again at some point, I'm only sorry we didn't stay as close as we once were. To all of you, a sincere and heart felt hug, we will all miss Cathy's smile, her laugh and her gentle personality. With much love and respect....

Neil, Drew, Dean
We are so saddend to hear of Cathy's passing.We send you our love and prayers.

Dear Neil,Dean and Drew

Carol and I were very sad to hear about Cathy.

The afternoon we spent with her and the boys at the Governor General's concert gave us a chance to realize how wonderful a person she was and also how proud she was of your accomplishments.

She will be sadly missed.

To Neil, Drew and Dean: Our hearts are saddened by the news of Cathy's passing. Our thoughts are with you as you face the days ahead. She fought harder than anyone could have expected. Her spirit was so strong. We hope you too can find strength in remembering her courageous battle.
Loving thoughts from Eileen & Ian

My mom and I had the honour of meeting Cathy at the numerous fiddle and step contests around Ontario. She judged both of us in many contests and always had a positive comment to share with all the dancers she came in contact with. She fought a courageous battle, and inspired many people with her strength and dedication. She will be sadly missed, but we hope you find peace knowing that she is smiling down from above, pain free. Please accept our condolences. Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Laurie & Gerri Nicholson

Neil,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss, especially at this time of year. Having lost immediate family members, we empathize with the depth of your sorrow. We pray that you and the boys will find strength in each other and cherish happy memories.

Dear Neil:

I am so saddened to hear of Cathy's passing. I hope that you, Dean and Drew find comfort in the love and support of your friends and family. My thoughts are with you and my wish is that you soon find the strength to celebrate Cathy's life. Warm Regards,

Dear Neil, Drew & Dean
All of the staff are saddened by the news but want you to know you are in our thoughts and our prayers. Cathy was an amazing lady who accomplished so much in her life cut short. I will never forget that sparkle in her eyes, her love of sharing music and that zest for life. Hold tight to the memories of the great family times you had together. Many hugs to you all,

Mr. Yorke-Slader and Family,
I'm not really sure which words could descirbe someone who taught me nearly everything I know about something I love so much. As music is everlasting, so is her spirit. My heart and thoughts are with you.

Dear Neil,
I was so sorry to hear of Cathy's passing. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Donna Thicke (SCHS)

Dear Neil and family,
We are deeply saddened by your loss. Cathy was truly a special person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ray,Carole and family,Although I havent seen Cathy recently,I will always remember her for her love of life and music,may her children forever feel the bond of love that is undeniable whether on earth or from heaven that a Mother always has no matter what for her children.

Mr. Yorke-Slader:
So sorry for your loss. Know that my thoughts will be with you.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.

From the committee of the Burn Your Bra for Bev in Pakenham, please accept our heartfelt sympathies. Although we only met Cathy once, it left a lifelong impression on us all. She spoke brilliantly at our 2005 fundraiser, helping us raise over $25,000 for breast cancer.

Dear Mr. Yorke-Slader and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies for you and your family at this time of loss. I'm sure that the memory of Cathy will be kept close to your hearts and bring you joy.

Neil, I am so sorry to hear that Cathy has died. She put up such a fight. She was a beautiful, courageous and talented woman, mother and wife. My heart is with you and your boys. Much love,

Mr.Yorke-Slader, I was never blessed to have known Cathy personally - but I do know how much love, joy and happiness that she brought to your life - and will continue to do so through the legacy that she has left behind. My deepest sympathies for you and the family. May her spirit continue to live on in those lives that she has touched. With Love

Dear Neil, Drew and Dean,
I just heard about your loss, and I am devastated. I am so sorry. My prayers and thoughts go out to you during this difficult time.

Dear Yorke-Slader and McIntosh Families,
I was very saddened to hear of Cathy-Lynn's passing. I too had the honour of being one of her first students at ADHS. I have many fond memories of Cathy-Lynn and the music program she created at ADHS. She was talented in so many ways, I particularly remember her beautiful voice as she sang onstage to a large audience while on a band trip to Tennessee. Cathy-Lynn was a remarkable woman and will not be forgotten. My prayers and sympathies are with you all during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Neil and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. We have known Cathy for quite awhile,remember all the dance and fiddle contests she was in..God Bless. Elva Sally, Woodlawn Ont. and Karen Sally Burns. Parrish Florida USA

I admire Cathy for her tremendous courage to fight such a horrible illness. Her determination is an inspiration to many people and only one of her many successes. My memories of Cathy are of teaching me how to "clog" and the times we danced together. My heart goes out to you all at this difficult time and in the days ahead.

Neil and Family,
My thoughts and sympathies are with all of you. Cathy gave her cancer a fantanstic fight. She was an incredibly stong woman and her presence will surely be missed.

Dear Yorke-Slader & McIntosh Families:

It is with a heavy heart that I express my heartfelt sympathies to your families in the recent loss of your dear Cathy. Cathy Lynn lived a life that is a model to all human kind. She is an inspiration to everyone. God keep you in his care.

Our heart-felt sympathy for this loss of your loved one.

We would like to send our sincere condolences to Kathy's family.We have very fond memories of Kathy and will miss her smiling little face.God Bless You Kathy.

To Carole, Ray and your family,
We were saddened to hear of the loss of your daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Gary and Valerie Strike

To Cathy's family: I extend my deepest sympathies for your loss. Cathy was a dear friend of mine throughout our years involved in the 'step dance/fiddle circuit'. She touched numerous lives during her journey and gave others courage, faith and strength. I now pray that you find the same courage, strength and faith at this difficult time. I also join in celebrating the amazing life she lived!

Neil and family,

I would like to express my sympathy, during this most difficult time. I know what it is like to loose someone you love. We do not know why these things happen, but we have to have faith to get us through.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Mr Yorke-Slader And Family;
As a former student at Earl of March I was blessed to have Mrs. Yorke-Slader as my music teacher. As she shared her joyful spirit and gift of music with our class, she enabled us to create many wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

To all Cathy's family,
I want to send our sincerest sympathies to you. She was a very brave and strong woman. There are alot of memories we have to hold onto from over the years at the fiddle contests.

Dear Neil, Drew, Dean, and family, we're holding you in our prayers each day. Cathy will be remembered by so many of us, far and wide. Love to you all,

My deepest thoughts go out to Mr. Yorke-Slader and the family. Mrs. Yorke-Slader was a teacher at our highschool, (EOM) and everyone loved her, as well as her husband. She was always smiling, and always willing to help out. As a teacher to so many in our school as well so many others, we know she'll never be forgotten, for she marked us all with a piece of her heart.

To the family of Cathy Lynn, I offer my sincere condolences upon her untimely death. She was a wonderful person and her courage and spirit throughout her long battle with cancer were an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by all!
Rev. Bob Risch

To Cathy's Family. We send condolences and at the same time celebrate Cathy's great gift to life,her courage,her talent and her friendliness.She and our daughter Linda grew up as friends on the stepdance-fiddle circuit and grew closer in these last years together because of her situation.She was a gift of God. Gerry & Sylvia Smith

Mr Yorke-Slader And Family,
I am very sorry to hear about your recent loss. Though I didnt know Cathy personally, knowing that a man like Mr Yorke-Slader loved her very much and created a family with her, is enough for me to know how wonderful she must have been. I do regret not being able to have met her, because i bet she would have graced my life the way she has graced yours. She was an angel from the start and now she returns to her origional form, to be with you always. You are all in my thoughts.

Dear Neil and family:
I am deeply saddened by your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Cathy, but it sounds like she was a lot like you, when it came to her students. Offering them a great deal of care and guidance, which they will never forget. Just as my children will never forget the care and guidance you gave to them. They are much better people because of the way you impacted their lives.
Cathy is with God now and is at peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your children in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Neil, Dean & Drew,

May her music live on in all of you as her body is now in peace.

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Yorke_Slader and Mcintosh familes. Although I had only met Cathy a few times (as a student of Neil's), her love for music and the ease in which she related to her students always impressed me. She truely had a welcoming soul.

I was deeply saddenly to learn of Cathy Lynn's passing. I got to know Cathy Lynn through the CIBC Run For The Cure. Cathy was an incredibly courageous, positive and uplifting spirit. She always had a smile for you and was very determined. She will be missed by all that were fortunate enough to know her.

Dear Neil and family - please accept my condolences for your loss. I had the privilege of being one of Cathy's students when she first began teaching in Arnprior. Her passion and excitement for music played a strong part in my decision to pursue a Music degree in University, and to keep my love of music strong even now. I was lucky enough to have seen Cathy at the Cancer fundraising concert held in Arnprior several months ago, and I could tell her passions were still just as strong. She will certainly be missed.

Neil. I am so saddened to hear about Cathy Lynn. She never gave up the fight. At the Breast Cancer walk in Ottawa she was smiling, happy, proud, and raised the most money as an individual. She amazed me every step of the way with her courage, dedication and determination. Having known her as a friend, colleague,and conductor, has been a tremendous honour and privilege. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.

To Cathy's family: Over the years I've heard so many wonderful things about Cathy from her friend Laura Robertson. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be during this difficult time. I wish you peace and love.

Dear Neil:

I was greatly saddened to hear of your loss today. Cathy was a beautiful spirit and brought a lot to the lives of both the children she worked with, and the people who were lucky enough to know her. Please pass my deepest sympathies on to the rest of your family.

Very Sincerely,

Annette Levesque

I had the pleasure of having Cathy as my high school music teahcer when she taught at ADHS. She was the best teacher I ever had. She was always so patient kind and gracious. My deepest sympathy to all her family at this difficult time. She inspired everyone she came across. My prayers are with you all.

I am very sorry to hear for your loss. The music that sorounded her life will continue to play forever.

To Neil, Drew and Dean, We were so sad this morning to learn about Cathy-Lynn's death. She fought bravely for so long, and was an inspiration to so many people. She will be remembered for so many things- her music, her gifts as a teacher, her perserverance and courage in her fight against breast cancer. And she will be missed by her family and many friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers and may God comfort you and be near to you in this difficult time. With sympathy, Kathy and Pieter Selst and family.

I am very sorry for your loss. I to know how it feels to lose a loved one from Cancer. Cathy will be missed but NEVER forgotten. She was always able to make everyone laugh. I had the pleasure with working with her during the Music Festival at Earl of March 2006.
Greatly loved, Missed always.
She is at peace.

Several of us have followed Cathy's brave fight through emails from a dear friend of hers and ours (Laura Robertson). Please know my thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with you during this time of loss.

It is with sadness that we read of Cathy's passing. Both Gary and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. May you find comfort in the wonderful memories with Cathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and Cathy's husband and boys.

Dear Neil,
My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Cathy sure was a fighter and an amazing person. I didn't know that among her many talents that she was also a dancer! A life taken far too soon.
Sincerely,
Barbara Havrot