It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Patricia (Pat) Eileen Mary Bradley Sedger (nee McDonald) in Vancouver on May 29, 2013 at the age of 99.
Pat was born on May 7, 1914 in Victoria BC. She is pre-deceased by her mother, Helen Ruth McDonald (nee Neely) in 1961; her father, Michael McDonald in 1968; her first husband, Gordon Bradley in 1962; her second husband, Ronald Sedger in 1998, and her son, Gerald Sedger in 2001. She is also pre-deceased by her three brothers, John (“Jack”), William (“Bill”) and Gerald (“Gerry”) McDonald.
Pat graduated from St. Ann’s Academy in Victoria, BC. Later, she worked as a secretary in the BC Legislature until January 1940 when she married Gordon Bradley (“Brad”), an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. During the war, Pat travelled wherever her husband was posted and eventually lived in every province in Canada. She had two sons, Gordon and Michael. Her husband, Brad, later died from multiple sclerosis.
Pat was working as a realtor for Newstead Realty in Victoria when she met Ron Sedger, a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. Pat and Ron both later worked for Newstead Realty and then for Royal Trust. Pat was thrilled to adopt Ron’s three children – Marilyn, Gerry and Rhonda.
Pat loved her family and took great pleasure in her Catholic faith. She volunteered for many years as a pastoral care worker at hospitals in Victoria. Over the course of her life, she enjoyed many creative pursuits, such as ceramics, painting, gardening, and taking long walks or getting lost in a good book.
Pat was known to be the kindest of people and would often offer upbeat expressions like, “Nice voice, gentle manner!” or “It’s Happy Thought Week”. She was positive in outlook, compassionate, and was always thinking of others.
Pat is survived by her sisters, Helen Campbell of Victoria and Myrna (Cy) Dorras of Parksville; her children, Gordon Bradley of St. Adolphe D’Howard, Quebec, Michael Bradley, PhD, of Saint John New Brunswick, Marilyn (Ted) Rogers of Oak Harbor Washington, Rhonda (Mark) Fuller of Vancouver, BC and daughter-in-law Linda Sedger of Victoria, BC. She is also survived by grandchildren, Michael, Arlyn, and Megan Bradley, Nicola and Kevin Fuller, Shane, Joey and Marc Rogers and great-grandchildren Reilley, Hunter, Hannah, Haiden, Ethan, Lexi and Harlynn Rogers.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC or to a favourite charity.
A funeral service will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Parish in Victoria, BC on Saturday, June 15th at 11 a.m. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Deborah Linton
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Patricia (Patti) Richards Auntie Pat was my hero, she was so gentle and loving when giving advice and it always hit home. Her personal words of wisdom always came back to me during difficult times at work, in marriage and raising a family. Auntie Pat was my advocate and I have so wished over the years that I could handle problems like she did – with insight and class.
My thoughts are with all the family at this time. I love you Auntie Pat.
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Christine Found Auntie Pat was always so kind, sweet and loving. I always enjoyed our visits with her when we visited Victoria. She really did have a gentleness about her which was so special. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
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Myrna Richards-Dorras My Sister was born with the gift of Faith. She was so kind, loving, thoughtful and funny. I would like to share a story that Mother told me when I was young. Mother and Dad who lived in Vic West, had friends that lived in Sidney, the Silver Family. It was a long journey so preparations were made. Mom heated up bricks in the oven and placed them in a wooden box covering them with some sort of insulation making a soft warm bed for baby Pat. Dad then hitched up Elvis his prized Trotter, and off they went ! Those were the good old days!
Pat meant the world to me and was such a good sister. I will miss her so much as will my husband Cy and Sister Helen
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Yvonne Bradley Our memories build a special bridge
When loved ones have to part
To help us feel we’re with them still
And soothe a grieving heart
They span the years and warm our lives
Preserving ties that bind
Our memories build a special bridge
And bring us peace of mind
Emily MathewsToday we are saying goodbye to Pat and will be left with memories of her and how she touched our lives. I chose this poem because I like the image it offers us of memories as a bridge. Like a bridge that spans a ravine or a river, memories span the passage of time. We have all traveled on these memory bridges and will so again with our thoughts of Pat Sedger.
All of my memories of Pat are ones of great fondness. She was a warm and kind woman. I remember her often telling me stories about her own family, her parents and her sisters and brothers and their lives as youngsters. She loved her parents and siblings very much; that love was reciprocal and I think it nurtured her into becoming such a lovely person. She was a loving mother to her own children and a loving grandma to her grandchildren and was often called “the kissing machine!”
I remember her too as a woman of dignity, style and grace. She rarely displayed anger and ill feelings. She was easy going, however, she was a strong woman of character and self-confidence who stood up for what she felt was right. I admired her faith in her church and how she kept that part of her life private and quiet.
I remember Pat’s easy laugh and great sense of humour. She had a very quick wit; she was an avid punster often competing with her son (at that time my husband Michael) to see who could out pun the other. I think the matches were often tied! Pat liked people, she would talk to anyone and say a kind word or two and sometimes she offered advice to complete strangers. I enjoyed being with her when she did this as I saw it as a daring step!
I have such good memories of days out at Old West Saanich Road, in the early 70s, at the beautiful home she shared with Ron Sedger. Time spent there often included sitting in sunshine on the deck, enjoying delicious home made food, home made wine, and plenty of good conversation. After that and over the ensuing years geographic distance separated us but we did have several visits and the last time I was with Pat was three summers ago in Vancouver.
I was so glad to have that opportunity to spend time with Pat then. We had a good visit that lasted several days. Her positive attitude, sense of humour and pleasant personality had not faded at all. She as 96 years old and the thought that I may not see her again did cross my mind.
This has come to pass and now I say my farewell to Pat Sedger a dear woman who embraced me warmly into her family and remained my friend. I will remember her always with love and appreciation. I am grateful that I was a part of her life and my only regret is that we lived so very far apart and could not spend more time together.
And to dearest Pat who will be loved and remembered always, may you rest in peace.
Love, Yvonne Bradley
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Dr. Michael Bradley Dear Family we all share in the loss of mother or for some grandmother. Rhonda and Mark, Marilyn and Ted, all of the children, Gordon, Auntie Helen, Myrna and Cy, and many more friends and admirers all have been deeply touched by mum. She was universally admired as a wise, considerate, humorous, and wonderful human being.
It was never on the public level but always on the personal level that mom really worked her magic. I think each of us truly believes that mom or grandmother loved each of us best. In a way, it is true. She really did love each of us best. She listened, advised, counseled and consoled in a way that was appropriate for each of our needs and desires at the time. If we needed much she gave much. If we only needed a little she gave that little. She was very tuned to where we were on that dimension of independence and freedom, on the one hand, and need and dependency on the other. What greater sensitivity could one have than to understand where we are in life at any given moment? That sensitivity is a great expression of love. She did not ask for herself but was always available for each of us. What better form of love is there?
Mom provided a base for me, a mental if not physical place to return to full of positive memories. Sometimes the existence of or the memory of a good, wise person is enough to satisfy and inspire. It sets the direction of how to live and provides a standard by which to evaluate the unfolding of one’s life. Some seek gurus, spiritual advisors, or philosophers, but mom’s straightforward approach of valuing each person to allow them full freedom to express their best seemed enough for me. The open-hearted but intelligent, non-naïve approach set a standard of behavior I can’t always achieve but can always strive for. In some ways I shall miss her very much, but in other ways I won’t. Her values, her way of being, the example she set, are very much in me and will I hope outlast me and following generations. I know I express these feelings for my partner Fam, and for my kids Michael, Arlyn, and Megan, and I know these feelings include all of you who can attend mom’s funeral and those for whom circumstance prevents.
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Heather Doyle So sorry Rhonda. Your mom was such a big part of your life – and you did so well by her. You should be so proud of the roll you played in helping her. And she would be so proud of you.
My condolences to your whole family – to everyone who knew and loved your mom. And my biggest hugs and prayers to you. hhd and family
Hi Rhonda,
Sorry I am so late in sending this but I just saw your Mother’s notice today.
I am sorry for your loss. I never met Aunt Pat but I heard nothing but good things about her. Uncle Ronnie was a lucky man to have met her and shared his life with her.
Again, my apologies for my tardiness in sending my condolences.
Your cousin,
Deborah.