MRS. CATHERINE HELEN BANKS of Lethbridge, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at the Edith Cavell Care Centre at the age of 87 years.
Catherine was born in Calgary on November 27, 1921 to George and Malvena (Zote) Dutchik. She met and married Oamer Banks while living in Calgary and they adopted Pamela in 1957. In the early sixties they moved to Lethbridge where Kay opened and operated Oamer's Café, she was very proud of having the first malt machine in Lethbridge. In 1965 the family moved to Helena, Montana where Catherine resided until 2002. While in Helena she worked for Sheffie's Pancake House and thirty-five years for 4B's Restaurant. She continued working well after retirement years and prior to her stroke in 2002 she worked as a personal care aid in a nursing home outside of Helena.

For many years she loved her cabin and silver mine located in Rimini, a ghost town twenty miles outside of Helena. The one room cabin located up on a mountain was her piece of heaven on earth. She spent as much time as the weather would permit living there until she was snowed out and had to come back into town.

Catherine is survived by her daughter Pamela (Gerald) Waldern; grandchildren Jerry (Pam) Waldern and Bonnie (Justin) Wilson; great-grandchildren Wesley, Justin, and Marcus Waldern; her siblings Lillian Sharpe, John (Shirley) Dutchik and Betty Hunter as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She is also survived by Pamela's father Oamer Banks. Catherine was predeceased by her parents George and Malvena (Zote) Dutchik, and siblings twin brothers at birth, Lucy Dutchik, and George Dutchik.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 PM, on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at THE SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY CHURCH, 1304 - 4th Avenue South, with Majors Brian and Edith Beveridge officiating. A private family interment ceremony will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation in Catherine's honour to a charity of one's choice.