Ann Holmes was born 5 November 1939 in Preston, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom to James Edward Cookson and Hilda Wilkinson .
Catherine grew up in Preston along with her two brothers, Robert and Paul.
She attended Larkhill Convent, Preston. She furthered her education at Hutton Agrictultural College in Preston which led to teacher training at Winmarleigh Agricultural College near Garstang.
It was at Winmarleigh where she met Peter Harry Wilkins. They had their son Martin in May 1963, by which time they had moved to Penrith. They had their second child, Jan in April 1964.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Martin Peter Anthony Wilkins (1963) | |||
| Jan Wilkins (1964) | |||
Residences
Footnotes (including sources)
| ‡ General |