Catherina Boogaart

Catherina Maria (Van Raay) Boogaart of Blenheim in her 92nd year, passed away on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025 peacefully at home with her family by her side.  Beloved wife to Jack Boogaart (2006) for over 50 years.

Catherine was born in the Netherlands on January 3, 1934, daughter of the late Jack and Cornelia Van Raay.  She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1949 arriving via Ellis Island, New York and settled in Chatham, Ontario.

Dear mother of John (Cindy) Boogaart, Rosemary (Larry) Van Gerven, Corinne (Steve) Varney, Therisa (Len) Morrice and Hilda (Brad) Stirling.

Loving Oma to Amanda (Bill) DeVries, Mark Boogaart, Nicole (Cameron) Pickering, Tara (Mark) Moir, Jolene (Jason) Garnett, Erin (Dan) Nixon, Paul Varney, David (Ashley) Boogaart, Cliff (Karmahn) Morrice, Mitch (Rose) Van Gerven, Ryan (Daniella) and Devin Stirling (Rachel).  Special great Oma to 23 great grandchildren.

Catherine is survived by her family Marie (Pierre 2009) Rammeloo, Bert (Ria) Van Raay, Jeanine (Tony 2020) Driessen, Jack (Margaret 2013), Corrie (Art 2021) LeClair and Joanne (Oscar 2018) Delrue.   Brother-in-law John Boogaart (Mary 2016) and Yvonne of Chatham and also missed by many relatives in the Netherlands.

Mom worked hard raising her 5 children working on the family farm in Mull picking tomatoes, cucumbers, hoeing and labouring in the pig barns.  She turned a 100+ year old home back in 1964 into a cozy decorated family, neighbour and friend filled home, opening her door to everyone. She had many talents but her sewing skills were precise, making many outfits for weddings, dresses for family and nieces, and the neighbours, which were so beautiful, and her own design never using a pattern.

Upon moving to her custom self-designed home, she found her new passion in gardening.  Along with Dad, they created their millennial garden.  Her perennial garden was so colourful and aromatic, and she loved sharing her plants with anyone who toured her paradise.

Special thanks to all who cared for Mother especially Ann, her PSW for many years, who shared and learned many of Mom’s secrets to gardening but above all became wonderful companions.  Also, MaryAnn who supported Mom and cared for her deeply in her final days.

Anyone wishing to make a donation, please consider St. Mary’s Church Building Fund or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Visitation will be held at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home, 53 Stanley St., Blenheim, Tuesday Dec. 30 from 400 – 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday Dec. 31 from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.  Parish prayers will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Mass to be held at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Marlborough St., Blenheim at 11:00 a.m.

Internment at Evergreen Cemetery Blenheim, Ont.

Reception following to be at St. Mary’s Hall Blenheim.