Catherine Macauley Newham

With her family by her side, Catherine Newham passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Portage District General Hospital at the age of 76 years.

She will be lovingly remembered by her sons James Newham of Brandon and Matthew (Nadine) Newham of Portage la Prairie, her grandchildren, Victoria (Tanner) Garnham, Cameron (Mackenna) Newham, and McKauleigh Tegg- Newham and her latest joy, her great granddaughter, Lenora Newham. As well as her sisters Ann-Marie (Steve) Stacey of London, England and Moira Keetley of Sheffield, England, and brother-in-law Pete (Sheila) Newham, and sister-in-law Pamela Spouge of Nottingham, England. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who love her very dearly in the U.K, particularly, her beloved “Scottish crowd” with whom she had a very close relationship with all her life.

Catherine is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Paul, and her parents, John and Betty McHale, of Loughrea, Ireland, and her twin brother, Martin McHale of Nottingham, England, who sadly passed away at the age of sixteen and brother James who died of Pneumonia as an infant. Catherine is also predeceased by Paul’s parents, Arthur and Joyce Newham of Nottingham, England, and brothers-in-law Joe Brown and Rick Spouge of Nottingham, England.

Catherine Macauley Newham was born on September 1, 1949, to John and Betty McHale in Paisley, Scotland. She spent her early years in Paisley until the age of eight, when her family moved to Kelty, Scotland. At ten years old, Catherine’s family relocated again, this time to Nottingham, England, where her father worked as a mining captain.

It was in Nottingham, at a university dance in 1968, that Catherine met the love of her life, Paul Arthur. The two married in 1970 at St. Barnabas Cathedral. They welcomed their first son, James Martin, in 1973.

In 1975, Catherine, Paul, and young James immigrated to Lynn Lake, Manitoba, beginning a new adventure in Canada. After a year, the family moved to Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, where they continued building their life together. It was there that they welcomed their second son, Matthew Paul in 1976. It was also in Leaf Rapids where the family forged many long-lasting, meaningful relationships and where Catherine met some of the best friends of her entire life, Kath Bain, Brenda Mitchinson, Shelagh Morrow, Lori Siemens, Carol Little, and Heather Creek.

Catherine and Paul found a passion for community service and joined the Kinsmen and Kinettes Club. They both held every office available within the club and went on to serve together as Zone Governor and Kinette Coordinator, traveling to various northern communities to attend Kin meetings. The friendships that bloomed during that time (around 1982) have lasted to this day, and a very special Kin reunion of that district team still takes place every Labour Day weekend.

When Paul started working “up north” (as Catherine would always say), their dream of continuing their Kin journey together became difficult to pursue. Catherine then teamed up with her longtime friend, Gord Charlesworth, to run for District Governor and Kinette Coordinator—and after a long campaign, they won the election. Following a successful term in office, they both found themselves back on the campaign trail, this time running for National President and Coordinator. They won again, and Catherine became the first-ever National Kinette President, as the title of Coordinator was changed to match the Kinsmen role. She was incredibly proud of her time with Kin and made countless friends from coast to coast. There are far too many to name, but she cherished each and every moment.

When the family moved to Portage la Prairie in 1987, Catherine also became deeply involved in her church community at Good Shepherd Parish. Her faith was very important to her. She taught Religious Ed. and became active in the Catholic Women’s League, where she once again formed many meaningful relationships - and found another best friend in Helen Roy, a dear companion she loved like a sister.

In the mid-1990s, after losing her father to a stroke, Catherine found a new passion working for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as the Regional Events Coordinator, a role she proudly held for twenty years. She loved rallying the community for events such as the Big Bike every September and Jump Rope for Heart. Catherine especially enjoyed the Jump Rope program—traveling around Portage and to schools across Manitoba with her various Jump Teams to inspire participation and raise awareness for heart health. She was always grateful for the enthusiasm and ongoing support of local schools, including the many colony schools that participated year after year and kept in touch with her long after the events ended. Catherine made a significant impact on rural Manitoba’s fundraising efforts for the Heart and Stroke Foundation before being forced to retire in 2015 following a heart attack and a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

As the years went on and her sons had grown up, Catherine found her greatest joy in her grandchildren, Victoria and Cameron. She and Paul were devoted grandparents, always cheering them on at every event. Holiday meals were among her favorite times - she loved cooking big family dinners, sharing laughter, and making memories. Later, when James settled down, Paul and Catherine were delighted to welcome their third grandchild, McKauleigh. They were overjoyed to have another granddaughter to cherish, and even more special memories were made.

Throughout her life, Catherine made many wonderful and beloved friends who she held near and dear to her heart. We would like to give special mention to Donna Blair-Lawton, Jacquie Henry, Betty Wilkinson, and many more—thank you for being such amazing friends. Friendships were everything to Catherine and she cherished each and every one of you. There are far too many to mention, but you know who you are.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at PDGH who took such great care of Mom during the last two months of her life. A special heartfelt thank you goes to Dr. Riley Workman, who worked tirelessly for Mom. We would also like to extend our thanks to Travis Pierrepont at the Portage Clinic, whom Mom was always very fond of and loved their chats. We are deeply grateful to all of you for your tremendous and compassionate care. Lastly, we would like to thank Wendy Bennett, who, in the last five years, since Catherine’s stroke, has been there for her every day in more ways than one can say. You have been a godsend and such an exceptional friend to her and us. Thank you for everything.

Prayers will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Good Shepherd Parish Catholic Church. Family Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Columbarium.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Catherine’s honour to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com