Kristen’s Story

Kristen Lizzio wrote to me just before Catherine passed away and I was able to read her email to my darling CCN on a couple of occasions. I’m sure she could hear me and would have been delighted to know that she had been such a positive influence on her young friend. I asked Kristen if she would read her story at Catherine’s funeral last Friday and I want to share it with you.

Kristen’s Story

Dear Barb,

I was so saddened to hear from dad that Catherine is fading. I wanted to write to you both and let you know about the, perhaps completely unknown, impact that she had on me in my youth.

I was only eleven or possibly younger when dad and Catherine started working together. She was so tall- especially to compared to mum’s and my short stature- and I thought she was a powerhouse. Catherine seemed to embody all the qualities that I could see mum and dad were trying to teach me: she was assertive without being rude, she spoke her mind with authority and kindness, she was persuasive without being manipulative.

Isn’t it funny the memories that we are left with as we age? I remember so distinctly in the days of the hostel, that Catherine phoned and I answered, and very assertively and firmly, with clear business tone of voice, she asked to speak to dad. I remember feeling a bit snubbed- that so often when Catherine called and I answered we would have a bit of chit chat and preamble before I would put dad on the phone. The next time CCN called, her voice was warm and loving and we had our chit chat. It didn’t take me long to learn an important lesson: the art of tone of voice. I could easily read what sort of call this was from the moment I heard her voice and gosh, I respected that. I love that she taught me, through a few phone call interactions, how to let people know what you need from them at that time. It made me feel safe- isn’t that a funny idea? But it did. Because I always knew where I stood with Catherine and I never took it personally when the tone of voice said BUSINESS.

Remember the ‘chapel’ in the Tempe house? Back in its heyday, I remember dad and CCN consulting in that room, training in that room, discussing and planning in that room. Catherine’s vibrant and bold clothing choices- bright blues, teals, greens, with hints of purple. Sometimes I had the privilege of sitting in on courses, watching dad and CCN bounce off each other’s energy, putting all those NLP skills into practice. Having sat in on those courses, I always knew when I was being ’NLPed’ by dad or Catherine!! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised I was probably NLPed far more often than I even knew. When mum and dad moved out of the Tempe house, cleaning out the chapel was a huge job. Did you know we found CCN letterheads from the nineties?? I actually kept one for posterity; it’s in a vault somewhere. Green and purple colouring from memory. So distinct and bright and full of flavour: just like Catherine.

It’s hard to imagine the impact that strong women have on young girls as they are growing up. How blessed I am to have had not only my mother (the strongest, fiercest warrior there is) but also Catherine - an embodiment of acceptance, diversity, strength and independence - as a role model. I’ve come to realise as I’ve gotten older that I bloody love wearing bright colours, especially in winter when everyone else is in black and grey. It’s in no small thanks to Catherine that I do. My memories of Catherine are painted with bold, clashing colours, flowing silks and elegant linens, and worn with the confidence of a woman who knows she looks incredible, who knows she IS incredible, and doesn’t care if you don’t agree. I tell my students all the time- you can’t be what you can’t see. In Catherine, I saw what women could be (and how they could look good doing it too!).

Barb, you and Catherine are so very loved by the Lizzios. Thank you for all the memories you’ve both given to me, and so much thanks to Catherine for the impact she had on a little girl growing up without siblings in the 90s.

Please stay in touch.

With much love,
Kristen Lizzio

This dear little female wren was sitting in the Hakea Bush and taking a break from the rigours of building a nest for it’s babies. I’m blessed to have this happening right outside my window.