February 2, 2026Monday, February 2, 2026

Just a thought… I’m proud to say, we all make each other laugh. In my home, growing up, I learned that from my parents. They made each other laugh to the end, God bless ‘em. How great is that? [Catherine O’Hara 1954-2026]

Note: I had planned to answer a number of queries I’ve received about spending a prolonged period in Mexico – particularly in the Puerto Vallarta area. I have that blog written but it will wait until next Monday, if you don’t mind.

Today I’d like to stay here in my memories of one incredible Canadian woman, and I know you’ll understand.

Many of us are still struggling to make sense of Friday’s news of the passing of Toronto native, Canadian icon and comedic gift to the world, Catherine O’Hara. In leaving us at only 71, we can’t help feel like “Canada’s Mom” had so much more to give, so many more laughs to spark with that incredible imagination, spirit and talent of hers. How tragic for us all, but especially for her family and her close friends and co-workers.

Two other things stood out to me this weekend: it seems that every generation has a different version of the Catherine O’Hara they loved – from SCTV to everything up to and including Schitt’s Creek and, most recently, The Studio with Seth Rogan.

And there is not one person – not a single voice anywhere – who does not say what a fine, kind and generous person she was in real life, whether as a co-worker or someone they met in passing. What a legacy she leaves behind! This year’s Oscars In Memoriam is going to be unbelievably heavy.

Okay, now a confession: I really didn’t give CBC’s Schitt’s Creek (available on CBC Gem) enough of a try, largely because I found Chris Elliott’s character, Roland Schitt, gross and annoying. I’m told you have to stick with it past six or seven episodes, so when I get back to Canada in six weeks, I’m most definitely going to make it my comfort food viewing for 2026. Millions of fans and a near sweep of the comedy Emmys during Covid can’t be wrong. I can, and I know I’ll soon be admitting it.

As for films, the fans of Home Alone 1 and 2 are countless, but my absolutely favourites are any of the collaborations she made with the director Christopher Guest, from A Mighty Wind, to Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. In so many of the scenes, the unparalleled cast (including Eugene Levy) was just allowed to improvise. And it is gold. Please indulge in these incredible gems.

I lost count of how many times Rob, Lauren and I laughed ourselves to tears while watching these quirky comedies. Lauren even picked up playing the autoharp after A Mighty Wind! We raised our daughter in a house filled with laughter and music, and anything helmed by Christopher Guest and featuring his stellar casts gets a lot of the credit for that. The connection is so strong that, yes, it’s going on 11 years since we could bring ourselves to watch any of them without her.

Rest peacefully, dear Catherine. You gave the world so much but we all got the feeling you were having just as much fun as we were. What a joy you were! I cannot imagine the loss those close to you are feeling, when we who admired you from afar are saddened so.

I leave us all with a prayer on this Groundhog Day: that February in its brevity offers us more grace and kindness than January did. My most fervent wish is for consequences where they are most deserved, and comfort where it’s most needed. We can hope, can’t we?