Just over two weeks after the world lost one of its most beloved comedic talents, family and friends of Catherine O’Hara gathered to say a proper goodbye.
On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, a Catholic Mass was held for the late Schitt’s Creek star at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles, a representative for O’Hara confirmed to PEOPLE. The service came 14 days after the 71-year-old actress died on Jan. 31, a loss that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the comedy world.
A Private Battle
At the time of her death, the cause was not immediately disclosed. However, on Feb. 9, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed the details via a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE. O’Hara died after suffering a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause—a health battle she had apparently kept private from the public.
A Fitting Farewell
Actress Kelly Lynch shared a glimpse of the somber yet beautiful occasion on Instagram, posting a photo of the memorial program. “Rest in peace darling Catherine 💔,” Lynch, 67, captioned the post, before quoting a poignant Raymond Carver poem: “And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.”
The choice of St. Martin of Tours Church as the venue carried a deep, emotional resonance. It was the same church where, in 1994, a funeral service was held for O’Hara’s dear friend and frequent collaborator, John Candy.
A Connection to John Candy
O’Hara and Candy’s friendship was one of the most cherished in comedy. They met as young performers in Toronto and went on to create magic together on SCTV. When Candy died suddenly at the age of 43 in 1994, O’Hara delivered a moving eulogy at his memorial service in Toronto—a speech that remains a testament to their bond.
In that eulogy, she painted a vivid picture of the man behind the laughs. “John gave himself so completely to every role, big or small… he really had fun, and when he laughed, he’d throw his head back and put his hand to his heart,” she said at the time. “He was a protector. He cared. If he felt you’ve been wronged in any way, he risked everything to make it right.”
Decades later, the church that hosted his farewell hosted hers, creating a poignant full-circle moment for those who loved them both.
A Legacy of Laughter
O’Hara’s career was nothing short of legendary. From her iconic roles in Beetlejuice and Home Alone to her improvisational genius in Christopher Guest mockumentaries like Best in Show, and finally her Emmy-winning turn as the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she brought warmth, wit, and humanity to every character.
She is survived by her husband and children. Her most recent project, Apple TV+’s The Studio opposite Seth Rogen, serves as a final reminder of the talent that made her a comedy icon.
As the world mourns, the words of Raymond Carver that Lynch shared seem to echo the life Catherine O’Hara led: she called herself beloved, and she felt beloved on this earth.
