Catherine “Caye” Rose (MacKenzie) Daniels

In Loving Memory of Catherine Daniels

The family of Ms. Catherine M. Daniels (Caye), of Destin, sadly announce her passing on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital. She had experienced a full 94 years of life.

Caye was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, and was the daughter of Joseph and Florence (Doucet aka Doucette) McKenzie (aka MacKenzie). She was one of ten siblings in the McKenzie family that had a Scottish, Irish and Acadian family heritage. She graduated from St. Martha's Hospital Nursing School in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and moved to the United States to begin her nursing career at the Mass General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Her adventurous spirit eventually took her across country to San Francisco, California, where she continued her nursing career.  

One night, a witty United States Navy aviator with a broken leg in a full length cast asked Caye to dance. His name was Richard Daniels (Dick), and the two soon married in 1963. That began a fifty-five year loving partnership and two children were later added to the family, son, Greg and daughter, Michelle. The military life found the Daniels family relocating to multiple stations that included Pensacola, Florida; San Diego, California; Norfolk, Virginia; and Dothan, Alabama. Caye continued to practice as a Registered Nurse while managing the family home responsibilities when her husband was deployed on naval assignments. Her husband eventually retired from his decorated twenty-year Navy career, while in South Alabama, and Dick then became a respected flight instructor at the nearby Fort Rucker Army base for the next twenty-six years.  

Once the married couple became empty nesters, the beautiful beaches of the Florida Emerald Coast called out to them. The couple moved to their dream retirement home in Destin, Florida in 1993 and enjoyed many years of the beach life together. Caye once again offered her valuable nursing skills by volunteering for the local Hospice organization and the Eglin Air Force base medical offices.

Caye and Dick both loved to dance, socialize with close friends and family, listen to music and travel together. Caye was an avid Bridge card player and played socially every week for many years. In retirement, Caye enjoyed water aerobics and formed a close bond with the friends she met during her devoted exercise routine. In her later years, she enjoyed reading and watching sports, mostly baseball or golf.  

Caye is survived by her two children, Greg and Michelle; her grandson, Cassidy; her brothers, Hugh and Lauchlin; as well as many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Dick; brothers, Ronald, Donald, Kenneth and David; and sisters, Therese, Anne Marilyn and Anne Marie. 

The family extends many thanks to all the medical professionals at Sacred Heart, CenterWell, Emerald Coast Palliative, Primary House Calls and Mayo Clinic for their dedication and kindness to support her zest for life.

A memorial service will be held at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin on April 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Caye’s honor, please visit the link here: St Jude Memorial Donation. Expressions of love and sympathy can be shared at www.daviswatkins.com.