This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Catherine Mair-Nikiforow, 66, born on August 6, 1951, and passed away on August 16, 2017. Please add your memories and photos to share with us. We will remember her forever.
A Message from Catherine’s Sister:
Catherine is the kind of person that lit up a room when she walked into it.
She was my older sister, by 11 months, so for one month every year, we were the same age. We were very close when we were growing up....at least until she turned 13....for a few years I was much more of an annoyance to her in our teenage hood!
Her life was, for the most part very glamorous. At 18 she became a successful model and was even Miss Australia at one point. She worked hard at the things she loved doing and allowed others to do the things she didn't care to do. She was a Lady after all. She was eloquent, still retaining her unmistakable English accent after more than 20 years in the U.S.
Many will know her for her unequivocal devotion to her beloved English Cocker Spaniels. She was well known on the showing circuit and had bred some outstanding dogs, even visiting Crufts in 2000. I will leave the finer details of this segment of her life to those that know best.
Catherine's personal life was very complex and at times heartbreaking. The old saying comes to mind "Men (or women) of force are men (or women) of faults". Life is complicated at the best of times and it's difficult to understand why we make the decisions we do. Why we hurt those that we love......we all do it. In hindsight, we are here on this planet to learn certain lessons, how we do that, is a topic all on its own. Catherine wanted more time, she wanted time to right the wrongs. Make amends, heal old wounds. Her time ran out before she was able to do that. I just pray that anyone who needs to can find the "The peace that passes understanding".
Although we became incredibly close in the last 20 years, there is a lot of her life that I don't know about. This is due to the fact that we both traveled immensely for the previous 20 or so years......before the days of mobile phones, Internet, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Busy with life and basically just 'checking in' as the years slipped by. I'm hoping there will be those of you who would like to contribute and 'fill in the gaps, so to speak'.
One thing I do know is that Catherine amassed a great deal of friends wherever she was. This was apparent when the news of her passing was announced on Facebook. Really, the only way to reach everyone who cared about her.
We were not able to have a funeral service for Catherine in Nth. Carolina. I have instead brought her ashes home to England as this was her wish. For now, we would like this memorial page to be a place where you can leave your comments, stories, photos etc. to be a part of acknowledging this very special person who meant so much to so many.
Would really love to see some photos of Catherine with her beloved ENGLISH COCKER SPANIELS if there are those of you who can contribute I would love to see some pictures and stories from you. Her dogs are a big part of her Legacy. Thank you.
