Patricia  ANDERSON

Obituary of Patricia Anne ANDERSON


December 5, 1932 - September 14, 2020

Above all, love each other deeply

Patt loved her family passionately: Dennis, her husband of 67 years (“just two kids from Winnipeg”); her two children, Bruce and Barbara, their spouses Sheila and Daniel; her beloved grandchildren, David, Kevin and Catherine, and her great-grandchild James. Patt’s loving relationships with her sister and brothers in MB and her brother-in-law in BC. remained true and strong despite distance. With her seemingly unlimited capacity for love she delighted in her role of Mom, Grandmother, Auntie, Ma Leroy, and Great-Auntie for her much-loved nieces and nephews.

Patt was blessed with two special loves in her life, her granddaughter Catherine and her great-grandniece Serena. From the moment Catherine was born, Patt bestowed her with love, cuddling her and blessing her. Their thread of love was never broken, even if miles separated them. They visited often, and Patt wrote a letter to Catherine every Monday for 25 years, ending each letter with “P.S. I love you because…”.  “Auntie” to her grandniece Serena, Patt nurtured Serena from a little girl into a confident Mom.  Serena shared her blessing and love back with Auntie and Unc when she married Fraser and had loving visits with their dear little boys, Elijah, Noah and Micah, bringing great joy into their lives.

Beyond family, Patt made life-long friends as she passed through the different stages of her life, her move to Calgary as a young Mom, student, ceramist, parishioner of St. Stephens, and Tai Chi senior. Patt knew it takes effort, love, thoughtfulness, selflessness and empathy to maintain relationships.  Patt must have one of the longest Penpal friendships in the world (62 years with Betty in England). Patt knew that small acts of kindness build to become great mountains of love.

Do everything in love

A bright, deeply intelligent woman, one of Patt’s proudest moment was getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (with honours) when she was 46. Her creativity led her first to ceramics, where she spent enjoyable time with friends creating pottery that adorns many of our homes, and teaching ceramics and later to quilting, which she excelled at. Her work is a physical manifestation of love pieced together to create beautiful works of art, one quilt so outstanding that it won a first-place award at the Calgary Stampede.  Many of us wrap ourselves in her quilts of love.

Ah, and her passion for learning and teaching.  How many of us have sat on her lap while she’s read to us, encouraging a love of learning, exploring, thinking.  Her love of research has led her from learning about the culture and history of the places she and Dennis travelled to (their first trip to England, Patt took many heavy books with her – not on later trips) to a comprehensive and years long investigation of the family genealogy with Bruce, finding new family members and enjoying their friendships.

It is overwhelming to think about the amount of time Patt spent on some of her labours of love. On Bruce and Barbara’s 25th birthday, each got a book about their life – stories, pictures, family history, love. Patt created a similar book for Catherine’s 18th birthday of all of the wonderful adventures she had taken with Dennis and Patt. What irreplaceable works of art, a mere example of the passion and love that guided her life.

Patt had such a rich and varied life. Hiking and spending time in the trailer with Dennis, travelling back to Winnipeg, seeing Egypt, Scotland, Suez Canal and Italy, gardening, spending time at Coronation when Dennis and Bruce hunted, bird watching, travelling to the Yukon, running, Tai Chi, Monday lunches with the girls, sharing books with Sheila, baking chocolate chip cookies and grout cakes for her family, all joys along her adventure.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

And finally, Patt’s passing. Her love and graciousness were displayed full force. Stating that she had a full and fulfilling life, Patt’s faith comforted her on her journey to God’s keeping.

Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love

Patt is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband Dennis, her children, Bruce (Sheila) and Barbara (Daniel); her beloved grandchildren, David (Katy), Kevin and Catherine (Garret), and great-grandchild, James.  Patt leaves behind her loving siblings, sister Elizabeth (Jack, deceased) and her brothers, Ian (Joanne), Bob (Sue) in MB, brother-in-law Lorne (Nancy) in BC, as well as her much-loved nieces and nephews.  Patt is also remembered with love by Scott (Jane). She was predeceased by her brother Bill (Jan).

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Patt’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

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