Catherine Elizabeth McGrath
Ajijic resident Catherine Elizabeth McGrath, 64, died peacefully on Saturday, September 26.
McGrath was born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick. During her adult life she lived in various parts of Canada, including Toronto and Vancouver, where she resided for more than 20 years and met her husband Glenn Watson. She also lived in San Francisco, California.
McGrath specialized in merchandising, marketing and sales and loved working with and helping people.
She always dreamed of living in a warm climate and welcomed the opportunity to house sit in Lake Chapala area with her husband Glenn. Settling in Ajijic, she quickly integrated herself into the community and was never seen without a smile on her face.
McGrath loved to dance and taking long walks on the beach. She found contentment in Mexico while still dreaming of exploring other countries.
A caring woman who took a sincere interest in people and was always there to help, McGrath touched the lives and hearts of all who were fortunate to have known her.
McGrath is survived by her loving husband Glenn; step-daughter Nova Watson; stepdaughter and son-in-law Brie and Joe Ufnal; stepson Lorne Watson; brother Eric McGrath and his wife Bonnie; and her grandchildren Philip, Jacob, Lexi, Caiden, Cameron and Neveah.
A celebration of life in honor of McGrath will be held at their residence in Ajijic (16 de Septiembre 41) on Monday October 5, 1 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to a funding campaign to help with the costs of the care home, funeral and to help get Catherine and Glenn home. See www.gofundme.com/helpourmomgethome for more information.
Marilyn Waite Prater
Marilyn Ruth Waite Prater died suddenly on Sunday, September 27, in her beloved Raquet Club home overlooking Lake Chapala.
Prater was born August 29, 1941, in Honolulu, where her father had moved the family after being assigned to Pearl Harbor with the Medical Corps. Just three months after his daughter’s birth, Dr. Verne Charles Waite saw intense action treating victims of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
After an idyllic childhood in Hawaii, where she attended Punahou School, Prater entered management training with Sheraton Hotels. She was often mistaken for Farrah Fawcett, even being asked for autographs. Hearing this, a local newspaper sent a reporter to interview her for a story.
In her late 20s, Prater moved to California, ending up in Malibu, where she worked for the Sand Castle, a family bar/restaurant frequented by celebrities. During this time she met Don Prater, a musician and later mortgage broker. They married on July 18, 1985, and spent 20 years living and working in Ventura and Oak View, California. Prater worked part-time for a local vet, a job which perfectly suited her love of animals.
After the couple retired to Lakeside in 2005, Prater volunteered at an orphanage, animal shelters and twice-yearly spay-neuter clinics. To relieve the misery of homeless dogs she encountered on the roads, she kept a bag of dog food in the trunk of her car. Her first loves were her two Border Collies, Coco and Puanani (meaning beautiful flower in Hawaiian).
Prater had an active social life: she delighted in parties and dinners out with her many friends in the Raquet Club.
Prater is survived by her aunt, Betty Porter of Tulsa, Oklahoma; cousins Karen DeSoto, Chuck Porter and Doris, Vicki; and her mate, Ron Starr.
A memorial to Prater will be held in the near future at the Raquet Club.
Rosalee Ware Mogseth
Rosalee “Rosie” Ware Mogseth, a two-decade resident of lakeside, died September 25, on her 85th birthday.
Mogseth believed deeply in helping the less fortunate and was involved in Operation Feed in San Juan Cosala and Cruz Roja International Volunteers. She also served as a deacon at Lakeside Presbyterian Church.
Mogseth loved having fun, dancing and playing Rummikub with her friends. You could always spot her in a crowd because of her bright colorful clothes, jewelry and personality. She truly never met a stranger and always had a hug for everyone. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mogseth was preceded in death by her son Michael John Ware. She is survived by her husband Arnold “Arnie” Mogseth; daughter Debra Gay Ware Jones and husband Keith; son Robert Mason Ware II and wife Dawn; seven grandchildren: Jenifer Ware Balch and husband Tyler, Ashley Simmons and husband Scott, Kelli Frazier and husband Justin, Randy Jones and wife Allie, Avery Ware, Gavin Ware and Lennon Ware; four great grandchildren: Thomas, Atticus, Ryleigh and Maya; and a host of other family and friends.
The family requests memorials to Operation Feed in her name.
The family held a private memorial service in her honor on Sunday, September 27 in Pearland, Texas.