18 March 2025
Silvera is home to many veterans. To honour them and their selfless commitments, we are sharing the stories the residents who have served. We are grateful to them for their service and their willingness to share their experiences.
Catherine Bursey, an 80-year-old resident at Shawnessy Commons, began her military journey at the tender age of 18 when she joined the Navy in 1962.
Hailing from Niagara Falls, ON, Catherine’s early life was marked by significant challenges, including the loss of her mother when she was three days old and her grandparents by the time she was 11. Despite these hardships, she displayed resilience and determination, which led her to eventually enlist in the Canadian military after high school.
Her naval career started on a stationary ship in Hamilton, ON, where she began learning the basics of the Navy’s operations. This initial phase of her training was followed by a more rigorous experience at Cornwallis Basic Training. Here, Catherine was required to undertake fire training and other essential military drills.
“I was on a night duty shift one evening and forgot to put the cushions down on the chairs and couches before everyone woke up in the morning,” she recalls. “My punishment was to sift all the ashes and cigarette bits from each ashtray. I never made that mistake on night duty again!”
Catherine’s time in the Navy also included some more fun moments.
“I once had the opportunity to ride in the front seat of a paddy wagon to breakfast, just for the fun of it,” she laughs. “I also played squash with one of the generals but learned the hard way about the importance of saluting my superiors, even those I was friendly with.”
After completing her basic training, which lasted three months, Catherine was stationed in Halifax. There, she worked in radar operations and served as a secretary. She quickly adapted to the demanding environment of military life.
During this period, she became engaged to a fellow navy soldier.
“Unfortunately, our relationship was short-lived,” Catherine recalls. “I ended up getting mononucleosis and had to return home to Niagara Falls.” To her dismay, a short time later she received a letter from her fiancé informing her that he was marrying her best friend.
Catherine’s military career came to an end in 1963 when she received a discharge.
Following her time in the Navy, Catherine married and had three children. She began a career at Safeway and was with the company for 33 years.
Catherine moved to Silvera in 2015, and loves to travel to international destinations, including Qatar, Greece, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Portugal, Spain and England.