Condolences
I remember Pat from my time in Calgary when I attended Glenmore Reformed Presbyterian Church from 1975 to 1980 as a new Christian. I so appreciated the solid hymns and Pat's playing the piano. She served without drawing attention to herself but to the music and words. Yes, as John Smed said what a rich community of faith with so many dinners where Pat quietly helped nourish us!
What a beautiful service with so many wonderful tributes and memories. I am so thankful that the service was livestreamed so that those of us that couldn't make it in person were able to see it. Pat would have loved the choir, and the hymns, the music was so uplifting.
I also remember Pats smile and her willingness to help all of us when we were learning new pieces to sing at Woodgreen. Pat will most definitely be missed and I am so glad that I knew her. Prayers for her family at this time.
Joanna Oruclar
Bob - Pat inspired so many in the church and leaves a legacy of musical excellence that can never be met. We all fall well short of her example as we all fall short of our Lord's. She was a rare gift indeed.
Vicki (Mack) Metcalfe
Sunday, February 20. 2022
Mrs. Jewell, as I always called her, was an absolute jewel in my life. She took me under her wing and helped me in so many ways in my university days and beyond, that my husband called her my second mother. In the beginning, Mrs. Jewell was a kind and encouraging piano teacher who brought me a long way in my piano playing. After she was my teacher, she became my friend.
One thing I will never forget is how, when I moved to Kamloops, she brought me furniture etc and then two years later came with her dad to help me move it all back to Calgary!
She also was so kind as to host the rehearsal dinner for my wedding and played the piano for my wedding in 1993. She gave generous and practical gifts when our children were born. She was my role model. I always wanted to be just like her: kind, generous, smart, fantastic musician, mother, wife and have a full musical career. It would be a true statement to say that I did indeed follow in her footsteps. Pat was a gift from God in my life and I think of her and her example often. Her faith was a beacon that all could see. I loved her then and I love her now. May God's great peace and comfort be with all of her family at this time.
Pat almost always provided me with her excellent and always warm food whenever I visited them. On one of my visits during Thanksgiving, we had various discussions. Pat quickly replied to one of my comments and called me "you turkey". I told her, "yes, you are right, I am from Turkey." I could see the lightning strike hitting her and her face changed with a big smile, "ahh..you are from Turkey" and we all had a great laugh. I miss you and listening to your beautiful piano music, Pat. You are in a much better place with Christ and the best chorus.
Pat and I shared a Scottish heritage, but neither of us was a “dour Scot”. Indeed, to be around Pat was to be around fun. I remember one incident of walking across the deserted parking lot of a Calgary restaurant, singing:
“We ain’t got a barrel of money and maybe we're ragged and funny—but we travel along, singing this song, side by side!”
Once Pat retired from the University of Calgary, we spent many hours together—either chatting the night away or watching, old, black-and-white movies.
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know and love this dear lady: Queen of the Piano.
Pat was an amazing person, friend and a tremendous blessing to know. Her Christian values shone through her personality, her many musical talents and gifts and her ability to always be doing things for others. She was our dear family friend for 34 years. When Clark first moved to Calgary and worked at the U.of C. music department, Pat arranged for him to live in her father's basement suit. Having only know the Jewell family for a year, Pat offered to hold our wedding rehearsal dinner at she and Bob's lovely home in Springbank. She also accompanied Clark on piano as he serenaded his new bride on his saxophone at our reception. As our family grew, she once offered to look after our three young children so we could attend a family wedding in Winnipeg. This was the only time in our marriage, when our children were young, that we got away on our own for 4 whole days! What a treat for us and our kids! They loved their time with her and we were so appreciative that she would be brave enough to take this adventure on. As she and Bob had 3 of their own children we had every confidence we could leave ours with her knowing she knew what she was getting into. As we raised our family Pat would stop by and see how we were all doing and she would often bring something unique with her for the kids or to have with tea. Some of our much loved Christmas decorations were a gift from her and Bob. Even though our kids are grown we still hang at Christmas the fuzzy bear stockings she gave each of them. Over the years we shared dinners at our house and theirs, but when you went to the Jewell's it wasn't just for dinner or lunch. Pat would feed a crowd, organize a gathering of interesting people from church or work, and ensure music was on the menu as well. We will always have fond memories of the times we spent with her and how she brightened up our lives. We look forward to one day seeing her again in heaven and have no doubt she is singing and playing up a storm there now. Thank you to the Jewell family for sharing her with us over the years. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love the Reid family,
Clark, Lori, Ben, Jordan and Rebecca.
Pat had the office across from mine at the University of Calgary, and in those early days when I was a newcomer both to Canada and to the University, she was kindness itself, helping me every step of the way. My condolences to all who loved her.
Lois Choksy
As I read this obituary this morning, I am feeling especially grateful for the gift of Pat’s life in mine beginning in 1967 with my arrival into the warm welcome and basement suite of her Mom and Dad, May and Jimmy, (Pat’s room was adjacent to the suite), and I am reminded again of her many musical talents and gifts, her extraordinarily generous kindness throughout all of her undertakings, and her unwavering faith which was her strength and inspiration. When three of us (old friends) visited Pat a few years ago, the warmth of her welcome, her contagious smiles and laughter, her amazing capacity to play anything by ear filled our hearts with happiness and our voices with singing.
So many memories of Pat. Our family treasured the time we stayed with the Jewells. My young girls spent countless hours sitting at the piano, baking cookies and movie nights with Mrs Jewell! I can still see her smile when she would greet us. Such a giving wonderful beautiful person. So grateful for that season of our lives that we got to spend with her.
I have so many treasured memories Mrs. Jewell (I never was comfortable calling her Pat, even as an adult) growing up! Sleepovers where we raided the pantry, Sunday afternoons between church services, the crazy drives to and from Springbank (Mrs Jewell was quite the driver!), her beautiful accompaniment on the piano, her generosity and kindness. I was blessed to have her as part of my childhood and will always be so glad of that!
I am very sad to hear of Pat's passing. In addition to being professional, helpful, modest and always nice,she had high musical standards and expressed opinions freely without being confrontational. Pat was never intimidated by the political games of the place and was always ready to play the piano on a high level and help others when it was called for. I used to say she really deserved of being a "living saint" title. I am sorry I was not being able to see her after I moved away from Calgary. She will be remembered and missed by everyone who knew her.I wish the best to the whole family. Remembering fondly: Janos Horvath
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