A Celebration Of Life For Katherine McIlravey

Hi there everyone, I'm Jacob or Jake, depending on how you know me.

On the fateful day of August 1st, I lost my amazing mother.

My mom while not always seeing eye to eye, gave me everything she had, gave me my first computer game that lead me into getting into computers in the first place, leading me to start my own business and having more success than I’ve ever had, she was the cause of that. She was the most bubbly positive person I know and will forever be in my heart.

She was the life of the party and despite me being in the ages of good parties, could always throw one better than me.

She always looked for ways to ensure everyone was included and felt welcome in social interactions and just wanted everyone to be happy.

My heart is broken and I’m a complete mess, despite fighting her own health battles, she was in an accident that took me, and everyone by surprise, something you can never prepare for, all of it being over in a matter of 24 hours.

She was a best friend, daughter, aunt, and more importantly, a mother, my mother. I’m so glad I was able to surprise her last month in Kelowna and visit with her, have her meet my fiance Nicole (even proposing in her apartment!), have a fantastic trip, and tell her that I am finally happy with where I am and who I’m with. She couldn’t help but cry and tell me how proud she was of me, and that meant everything. She was so excited to know I was going to make it and that I was happy, a story lots of you probably already know, as she was just so excited.

I’m going to miss her so much, everything about her, she used to send me cards for every major holiday all the way from BC to Ontario, and she never picked just one. She couldn’t decide and would send “one silly one and one nice one”, and even with $100 to her name she made sure I got them.

This woman gave me everything and then some, her gifts always meant so much and had so much effort in them because while she didn’t have much she gave me everything.

She loved me so much, more than I’ll ever know, but I hope she rests easy knowing I love her more than she will ever know. She was the best mother I could have ever asked for, she made me the man I am today. She was taken from all of us so soon, and my heart is so empty without her here anymore.

This earth is a darker place without her light in it. I love you so much mom, I wish you were here so bad. We all love you and miss you so much.

I have so many more words to say but my mind is jumbled and I’m so lost right now.

I flew out the next day to see you when I found out what happened, but unfortunately it was too late.

Cherish your loved ones, hug your parents, don't take a second for granted. I love you mom, forever and ever, to the moon and back times infinity.

The money from this Gofundme will go towards costs associated with her passing, such as funeral home expenses, cleaning up her lot, moving her vehicle, storage for her belongings until I can drive them from Kelowna to Ontario, spreading of some of her ashes, and of course a celebration of life that is slated for planning when I'm back home in Ontario, there will be lots of advanced notice for this.

She never wanted a funeral, and always wanted to make sure everyone remembered the good times, and of course lots of booze, and I plan to honor that to the best of me and all of her closest friends abilities.

Despite interest in supporting my future, and even the future of me and my fiance, I don't feel right taking any of this money for myself or for our wedding. We really are touched with the offers, but feel this money going towards my mom, and my mom alone feels much better in our hearts.

Any money raised above what is required for all of these costs will be used to either enhance the celebration of life, or pay for transportation for family and friends that cannot immediately afford to be in Ontario for it.