Patricia was born in the Fraser Valley and grew up in a farmhouse with 4 other siblings. Her father was a kind man and her mother was a strong-minded school teacher who took no guff. This combination might have left an imprint on Pat, who did not like cooking or domestic chores, preferred to play hooky/swing from barn rafters/drive her father’s car along the dyke roads.
It is possible young Pat was not described as well behaved, but she was of quick mind and intellect. Pat went to UBC where she majored in English, moved to San Francisco in the 60’s before it was cool and became a stewardess when that was considered glamourous. But then she figured smoking on planes was bad, or San Fran was boring, or something else was beckoning, so she moved back to the Fraser Valley, became a high school teacher and met a guy called John who had a sportscar and one tie.
She got married, moved to Victoria, and had a couple of kids which changed things QUITE dramatically. No longer able to hobnob with movie stars on aircraft, she decided to throw herself into early childhood education and teaching preschool in Victoria, a calling she loved almost as much as her own children. She also fell in with a somewhat disreputable but immensely spirited group of like-minded women (aka The Board, LBG).
As was the case for many couples, divorce complicated things – just not nearly enough for Pat. She completed a Master’s degree in early childhood education at UVic, all the while working and raising two teenagers. She taught kindergarten, collected a roomful or two of craft supplies and a fridge full of withered limes, played bridge, and lived a life of laughter to the growing amazement of her now frequently speechless adult-ish children who loved her for letting them throw parties and not caring what the neighbours thought.
Retirement was not ready for Pat either. She immediately threw herself into the cause of restorative justice where she continued her quest to make things better for kids and adults, no matter where they came from or what mistakes they might have made.
Nicknamed “the mother of all doctors”, Pat kept heart disease, fractured limbs, colon cancer, and other worthless opponents at bay for years with an indomitable spirit, bridge games, choir, margarita parties, good friends, and laughter (so much laughter!). She made friends with her sharp wit and kept them with her kind heart.
The last cancer was a nasty surprise and ended things far too fast for our liking. Pat is survived by her younger sister Nancy Lane, her grateful children Ed Peramaki (Angela) and Liisa Peramaki (Ian), grandchildren Adele, Lisa, Ella and Devyn, dear nieces and nephews, and a host of friends too large to comprehend (let alone list). You’ll know them all by their laughter and tears.
Pat will be dearly missed, but her laughter will ring in our ears for decades to come. Seriously. It could be that loud… and long-lasting.
COVID-19 has wrecked all sorts of things, including Pat’s incredibly detailed plans for a memorial service. But once we can gather without fear and hug with abandon there will be a celebration of life. Word of mouth will likely reach you when it’s time to honour Pat/Patsy/Pam Pam.
In the meantime, feel free to give a donation to the 1UP Single Parent Resource Centre or Saanich Peninsula Restorative Justice if you’d like to honour her with something other than laughter amongst friends and family.
Rest in Peace, Mom – we’ll always love you.
PS We are recycling the craft supplies. Ha!
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Barb Whittington
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Christopher White Dear Ed, Dear Liisa,
I send my Love to you, your families, to our Aunt Nancy, and join my heart from afar with all those who love your Mother, my dear Aunt Pat. She will be dearly missed by many, of that I am certain. Many a time in my life I’ve had the privilege to have had Aunt Pat receive me like a second mother, and in more recent years, we’ve enjoyed sharing stories of our shared passion for teaching young children. I’ll be thinking of you with Love for tomorrow’s celebration of the life of a great woman and I know that you’ll all take good care of each other. Some day soon, I hope very much to be able to come visit with you again and honour Aunt Pat with our joyful family reunion.
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Irene Cockayne I am deeply saddened by Pat’s death.
Please accept my condolences.
My lifetime admiration of your brilliant Mom is a cherished part of my life and my memories.
I am so very grateful to have known her…….with affection Rene
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Donna Fraser Reading Pat’s obituary I regret that I didn’t reach out to her. I was born in 1944 in Dewdney. My parents, Jim and Rhoda Airey lived in a hired man’s house either on the same farm on Slough Road or the adjacent farm. As a young newly married couple their neighbours, the MacGregors were trusted and highly respected friends. My grandmother died when my mother was two years old so Mrs. MacGregor was the resource mom needed when she had questions. Mom told me that my middle name was chosen based on Nancy’s middle name. We moved from Dewdney to Hatzic in 1947 so I don’t really have any early memories of my own but I remember how nicely my parents spoke about the MacGregors and their children. I do remember visiting the MacGregors at a farm in Pitt Meadows and playing in the barn. My sincere condolences to the whole MacGregor family.
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Patricia Haddad My dearest Liisa and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Mom. I was reading the obituary and wowed and smiled the whole way through. She was a strong willed intelligent beautiful soul. She certainly led an amazing life and will be missed by you all. Will be thinking of you in the days to come as your grieve her loss. Hugs…….
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Nancy McCarthy Oh dear sweet Aunt Pat, while I’ll always remember the laughter everyone speaks of, my most poignant moment with you was when my mother, your sister, was dying, and you offered me comfort as we shared some tears… thank you for that <3 I so enjoyed the times we spent together, both east and west.
Nancy
Don’t know if you’re keeping up with your reading Pam Pam Patty….. but when I go to call your familiar phone # and I can’t – and you won’t answer I miss you and our shared zaniness over and over and over. So many grandkids “stories” I can’t share with you let alone our political storms & outrage.