Obituary of Patricia Lorraine Nickel

September 25, 1938 – Myrtle, Manitoba

July 22, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Patricia Nickel, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the age of 84 years.

Pat “Patricia, Patsy” was born Lorraine Pearl Chatwin on September 25, 1938, in Myrtle, Manitoba at her Granny Anderson’s house. She lived in a white farmhouse where the indoor plumbing consisted solely of a manual water pump in the kitchen. Pat and her five brothers (Jim, Jack, Mickey, Cal, and Brad) walked 2.5 miles to school. In the winter, Pat’s dad would send the faithful horse, Molly, by herself to the school with the cutter to carry them back home.

Pat overcame many difficult circumstances in her childhood, and emerged as the feisty, strong woman who was our mother. She met and married the love of her life, George Nickel, at Bible school and they were married on July 12, 1957. One year later, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Lee-Anne, with a second girl, Alison, tagging along nearly eight years after.

Pat poured herself out for friends and family, cleaning, baking, cooking, or counseling wherever she saw a need. She and George nursed her father, as well as a family friend, through their final weeks and months of cancer. She appreciated her sons-in-law, Earl, and Dave, for the unique gifts that each brought to the family. Pat adored her grandchildren, Emily and Jacqueline, and her grandson-in-law, Jordan. She never once turned down a request to babysit when the girls were young, often “hinting” if it had been too long since she’d seen them.

Mom had a brutal honesty and a keen sense of humour that stayed with her until the end. As your daughters we want to thank you, Mom, for your example of following God with your authentic self. You had a character trait that God loves, “chutzpah.” With you as our example, it never even occurred to us that we should approach God with anything other than raw honesty. We were both able to say,

“I’ve got a good mother, and her voice is what keeps me here. Feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward, be yourself.” - From “Good Mother” by Jann Arden

Thank you, Mom. We are going to miss you here, but we are so glad that we will get to see you “some glad morning.”

As per Pat’s wishes no formal service will be held. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Pat Nickel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.