On Sunday, July 30, 2017, at age 84 our Mom took a final breath and went peacefully into “that good night”. Pat leaves her husband Ken, children Lynn Elwell (Tim), Bruce Lubinich (Kim), Marti (Martha) Miller, Wendy Lubinich (Jeff) and Michelle Wille (Roland), eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sister Rosalie and brother John (Marge).
We have so many wonderful memories with Mom, enjoying family events such as Christmas dinners on Sims Avenue, hikes, and trips to the Cowichan area where she lived as a girl. The ball players in the family remember fondly that Mom would fearlessly catch for them when they were practicing. Mom must have cheered her kids and grandkids on at thousands of games and school activities over the years. Madi (Elwell) has special memories of the time spent with Gramma doing arts and crafts, visiting parks, baking and being spoiled. Pat was a loving and patient grandma; an expert at teaching, playing and making kids feel special. Mom’s home was always available for drop-ins and we could count on a lovely hot cup of tea and a Mom who was interested in what was happening in our lives. As Mom said recently, “we had lots of fun, didn’t we”? Pat (like many women of her generation) made her family her priority and almost always enjoyed it. She tirelessly cared for her five children, her Mother (Rose) and her home. She started out as a telephone operator in her teens and loved that job. She got her GED diploma in her 50’s and joined a walking club in her 60’s, reaching a milestone of 10,000 miles.
Later in life, Mom met Ken and while their marriage was cut short, they sure knew how to laugh together. Mom enjoyed living at Kiwanis Village and felt she belonged there. She and Ken were involved in many volunteer and social activities and Mom made many friends there. In the last few months, we enjoyed daily visits to Mom’s home and in the hospital. The visits were filled with humour and love and Mom kept us laughing until the end.
In respect of Mom’s wishes, there will be a small family gathering in lieu of a service as well as a private event for Kiwanis friends.
Many thanks to the kind and caring nurses on the Acute Care Ward at VGH and for the professional and respectful services of McCall Gardens.
Rest in peace Patricia Irene (Mommy). You will live on in our hearts forever!
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