Obituary of Cathleen Diane Hartman

July 1, 1943 – Kindersley, Saskatchewan

November 17, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Hartman, Cathleen (Diane) went to rest in peace on November 17th, 2023, in Calgary, AB after a long journey navigating dementia. She was 80 years old.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her children Kellyann Hartman of Calgary, AB, Darrin Hartman of Calgary, AB, and Shannon (Tim) Bueckert of Calgary, AB; and her sister Linda Holaday of Saskatoon, SK. Ex husband, and the father of her children Frank (Judi) Hartman. Nieces and nephews include Michael Holaday, Ryan Holiday, Jennifer Lin Davis, and Lana De Marco, her grandson Austin Smith, and her godson Shane Hartman.

Born Cathleen Diane Sylte, July 1st, 1943, in Kindersley, SK. She was 2.5 years old before she met her dad who had enlisted to fight for Canada during WWII. He was stationed in England/Europe for almost 3 years. She moved with her parents Friedrich (Fred) Oscar Sylte and Annabelle (Graham) Sylte to Meadow Lake in 1946. Cathleen attended teachers college in 1962 and went on to teach in Lashburn, SK in 1963. She met Frank Hartman in 1962 and they were married August 1964. She then taught at John Bosco School. The couple had one child (Kellyann) in Meadow Lake before moving to Saskatoon, Sk in 1966. It was in Saskatoon she had her other two children Darrin and Shannon.

She was a quiet and kind individual with a wicked sense of humour. She was very artistic and loved drawing. This creative flare was shared and passed on to her three children. She coupled her love of art – particularly the works of Alphonse Mucha - with her passionate love of music. Her taste was an eclectic mix of folk, rock, and hard rock. She too passed this love along to her children.

Cathleen enjoyed reading (like her mother) and she was a voracious word nut who loved exercising her knowledge and skills in a rousing game of scrabble. After having her last child Shannon, she went back to school and finished her Bachelor of Education degree, graduating with distinction. She went on to teach and helped many through her work with adults seeking to get their GEDs. She always advocated for the underdog.

Cathleen sobered up in 1977 and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was a very important part of her life from that point on. She championed recovery for women throughout her life and sponsored many, many individuals through their recovery. AA was her family outside her family, and she celebrated her 46 AA birthday in September (in person) which was incredibly fitting and timely.

She struggled with dementia for the last 10 years of her life. One thing that remained with her was her love of music. Although she couldn’t remember the words, she could still hum to some of her favourite songs.

In honour of her continued love of all furry creatures, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BARCs Rescue (272134 Rge Rd 291 NE, Airdrie, AB T4A 2V7) Telephone: 403-852-5357 or online at www.barcsrescue.com/donate.

The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 9th, 2023, at Mckenzie Towne Church (7 McKenzie Towne Gate, Calgary, AB T2Z 3W5) at 1:00 pm. Refreshments to follow.

In living memory of Cathleen Hartman, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.