Pat Gordon [nee Fitzgibbon] AKA Patti Fitz and Nana; 1923 – 2012
One trip too many…Patti Fitz took a fall, broke 8 ribs and ruptured her spleen. Despite all efforts at VGH, her body just could not sustain the trauma and mom slipped away on Monday, October 15th, at 2:45 pm, pain free and surrounded by her family for the great send off.
She leaves behind her grieving husband, Alec of 60 years, her four daughters; Jane (Jeff), Kim (Ric), Lise, Eve (Dean), grandchildren; Adam (Candace), Gabriel (Michelle), Jane (John), Sebastian and Jack, and Nana was thrilled to have met her great grand daughter, Lillian May.
Born in Youghal, Ireland in 1923, she left home at 19 to work in England during WWII. She survived the bombing of London and often made trips home to Ireland, smuggling hams and butter in her hat box back to war-torn London. She immigrated to Canada in 1952, where she met Alec on the Cambie St bus in Vancouver. They were married in 1954.
She loved to sing, and did so for 30 years with the Skylarks, Newcombe Singers and the Starlight Pops Choir, who honored her as their first Life Time Member upon her retirement in 2011. Mom was a master seamstress, teacup reader, and fabulous cook. She loved to travel, paint, knit and tell stories. Her family was her life.
We send Mom on her last journey with an Irish Wish; “May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you’re dead.”…and we warmly envision the many tea parties she will enjoy in the Great Beyond as she reunites with all those who have gone before her.
An Irish Wake will be held in her memory, Saturday, October 20th at 4pm at their Seniors Facility; The Victorian at McKenzie, 4000 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.
Special thanks to Hospice Physician Dr. Christine Jones.
13 Responses
Sorry to hear of Patti’s passing. We had re-united in recent years by the electronic wonders of email. It was lovely to re-connect and to ask her the questions only she could answer about the myriad relationships we all shared particularly with the families in Yougal and Cork. The video she forwarded to us was exquisite and we played it over and over. I failed to make contact after that as my attempts at emailing her all failed.
A special message for Alec. You have our deepest sympathy. We remember fondly the time you found us and our family at the beach
in Kerry.
Special thoughts and prayers for you all at this sad time.
I have many wonderful memories of Pat in Newcombe Singers. As Past Pres, I assure you that our lives were all made richer by having known her. May you all gather many more times to share your memories of a warm, loving and wonderful lady.
It was with great sadness for us here in Ireland that we heard of Pat’s passing. We had so little relatives of my Dad (who was
Patti’s uncle) we expected her to be always there!
She was a lovely person so talented, kind and NICE and you four girls are proof that she did the meaning of life to the highest standard, and her spirit lives on through you all.
We all had some good times with her and Alec and for me with you all.
On behalf of Marie Tom Noel May Fr. Pat and Tim and II and all our families we send our love at this sad time for you.
The Welstead cousins in cork and abroad