Eulogy of Catharina Aarts passed away on the 8th March 2000

Mum, Catharina ,or Kitty as affectionally known to all, was born in Nuth, Holland to Petrus and Petronella van Megen on the 3rd of April 1933 . Being the fourth child her brother Han dec. and three sisters Greta, Annie and Rica grew up in Nuth in a semi rural area where her Father was an engineer and Mother and Homemaker . Having grown up  through the war years wasn't easy.

When she meet Joe, Dad, she was working at the paper mill and fell in love at first sight with dad in his Military uniform . Their courtship was made difficult with Mum being in Holland and Dad overseas . One year later on the 28th of September 1954 , they got married  in Spaubeek, Limburg. Arriving in Australia on the 19th of January 1960 with 2 children Martin and Fran,  2 suitcases  weighing in at 75 kgs , 25 kgs of clothes and 50 kgs of tools to start their adventure in the new country with Dad speaking enough english to get by and Mum's english was to point a finger at the items she wanted to buy from the shop.

After Dad's passing on the 23rd of October 1988, she started to go dancing with her dear friend Trish , and Martin , not looking for a substitute for Joe, but to enjoy herself as she loved to dance.

Mum's other great passion was knitting and created one jumper being now in America having being taken of Trish's back while out Rock'n'Rolling .

Mum's grandchildren were always the first of her thoughts and the true "apple of her eye".

She will be dearly and lovingly missed by her 3 grandchildren, Catharina, Daniel and Timothy, her children Fran and Martin and son in-law Mark , and all who knew her.

Mum appreciated the hard work,kindness and support, of the Doctors and staff at ENT unit Ipswich Hospital , Palliative Care and Dr. Gritton . 

by Martin Aarts and Fran Korhecz (nee Aarts)

(Kitty) Mom as I would call her, she was a fighter, strong willed lady, also can be very stubborn. She either took you or didn't.

I have known mom for about 12 years. We met at Booval Shopping Centre. We clicked straight away. We have been very close since. Helped each other through the good times and the bad.

She loved her dancing, always dressed nice. Also she loved her knitting and I don't know how many she has done , she does have 66 Elvis cardigans out there and one in America.

I was with her when she had her op 3 years ago. The last 6 mounths I have been with mom nearly every day. Told her to "get out of bed , I'm taking you shopping".

Last Friday Martin rang me to say mom's had a stroke, I drop everything at home and went to her. She would look at me and give me a wink and say "I love you Trish" . I held her hand as she took her last breath, she's out of pain, and at peace now.

I am proud of you MOM.

speech by Trish

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