Canadian Aviatrix #95 – Catherine Williams (1916-2001)

Catherine Frances Williams was born on 21 September 1916 in Vancouver BC to Malcolm Cameron Williams (mayor of Fort Erie and head of the Williams gold refining plant) and Catherine Dairon.

Malcom’s family were pioneers in the Yukon gold rush and his brother, Alexander Duncan Williams, founded the Williams Gold Refining Company in Buffalo, New York. Malcolm began his own company in Fort Erie, then the two companies joined up. The brothers were avid anglers and designed the Williams Warbler lure. Malcolm was active in local politics and civic affairs for years – he was a Mason, a member of the Lions Club, Councillor and Mayor.

In 1940, Catherine was still living with her parents and working as an assayer, presumably at the gold refinery.

On 19 February 1942, Catherine passed her flying test and received her PPL, making her the 95th female pilot in Canada. She was 25 years old.

Photo: Niagara Falls Evening Review (December 4, 1962)

She planned to enter the Canadian Women’s Air Force Auxiliary as an AW-1, but needed a minor operation on her knee first after a skiing accident. By 1944, she was serving in the RCAF as a Section Officer.

In 1951, Catherine married Harold William Youngquist (draftsman) and they honeymooned in Colorado. They lived in Fort Erie and had two sons.

Catherine (or Kitty, as she was often called) was an executive member of the Fort Erie Art Club, campaign chairwoman for the Fort Erie Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society and an active member of the Fort Erie Duplicate Bridge Club.

Catherine died in 2001, aged 85.

Note: Catherine was listed with an asterisk in No Place for a Lady – meaning the author hadn’t been able to find her. I just had “C.F. Williams” and the date of her PPL.