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.
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Noel & Pat Goulding
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Jean Howell 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.
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Jane Westead O Brien 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
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Margaret Reilly I also sang with Pat in Newcombe Singers and the Starlight Pops. I loved Pat’s stories about her life and loved her cheerfulness. Pat really knew how to have fun! She will be sadly missed.
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Christine and David Marlow We are so glad that we managed to catch up with Pat and Alec, Lisa & Eve in July this year while we were on holiday. We are both devastated to hear of Pat’s death. Our love and condolences to Alec and all the family.
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Sheila Norton I sang with Pat in the Newcombe Singers and the Starlight Pops. I was very fond of her and always enjoyed standing and sitting beside her. She had a wonderfully cheerful and lively personality. I remember her talking happily about her trip to Las Vegas with her girlfriends and many other happy occasions with her family. She was a sweetheart.
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Millie Longden and Barry Hall It is so very hard to accept that Pat is no longer with us, but I know I will hear her infectious laughter in my mind very often, to remind me what a bright, cheerful person she was. Friendships are so important at a time of loss and having known Pat and Alec for many years, having first met them in their B. & B. on Dallas Road, where they ran a most hospitable and cheerful establishment, enhanced very much by Pat’s happy disposition and welcoming smile. Our sympathy goes out to the family and of course, Alec…who will miss his Irish sweetheart. A lasting memory of her will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
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Richard J Parker (of the OBrien clan Youghal) Highlights of my mother’s and my trip north were the two wonderful visits with her family. It was wonderful having my mom and your mom reminisce about days in Youghal. I know that they are continuing that chat even now. Bless you all…you had a GREAT mom.
From the Parker family (Maloney/OBrien.Youghal)
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Anita Snell As a friend of Lise’s for many years I felt I knew her Mom through Lise’s warm descriptions of her. A woman who loved to visit with her daughters into the night.
I am so sorry for the family’s loss, I know how much she will be missed.
Anita
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Glenda & Mark Brady We are very sad to be saying Goodbye to such a Beautiful and Loving Lady and a Great Family Friend. We feel Blessed to have known her for so long.
She was always so very Proud of all her Beautiful girls and their Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love
Glenda & Mark
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Sandy and Kate Dearest Eve and Family,
Our hearts go out to all of you as you now must continue your own life journey without your beloved mom. We hope that you will be comforted by the thought that the light of such an amazing spirit will continue to shine in each of you. Hers was a great love story for life, family and laughter. How blessed were you to have been part of it.
Our love to all,
Sandy and Kate
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Di To love and to be loved is all we ask for in life.
I never had the pleasure to meet this lovely lady, I so wish I had.
R.I.P. Pat
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Maureen Beautiful story, and beautiful life! She will be sadly missed, but her spirit and strength carries on in all of you.
Love and hugs
Maureen and Harry
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.