Patricia “Pat” Atkinson (née Norman) passed away at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on October 20, 2018 and will be greatly missed by her children, Michael (Marlys), Maureen (Mike), Peter (Lorinda), and grandchildren, Shanae, Kieran, Graham and Finn. Pat will also be keenly missed by her many close friends.
Pat went to high school in Langley then earned a degree at UBC. In the UBC choir, she met her soulmate and husband of 54 years, Glen Atkinson, who left us at the end of 2014. Pat taught primary school and later ESL, delighting in learning about students’ birth countries.
She and Glen brought their three kids to a small town in Northern Queensland Australia – Atherton – in 1974, where both taught for two years before travelling home to Canada. Their time in Australia led to many enduring friendships and many visits of overseas friends. Both Pat and Glen were great appreciators of nature, always looking for new adventures (and new birds).
Pat and Glen backpacked through Southeast Asia with their three kids in 1976. The pair’s wanderlust led to many more travels, to exotic locales such as Papua New Guinea, Galapagos Islands, Sulawesi, and Africa. Adventurous travel tendencies were also kindled in the three kids and their families. Pat and Glen arranged two wonderful family adventures, bringing all their kids and grandkids to the Queen Charlotte Islands and to Costa Rica and Panama.
The many rollicking parties Pat and Glen hosted included themed affairs and their annual Christmas Eve party for family and friends, full of singing and games. Music, particularly singing, was a shared passion of Pat and Glen. Pat was an integral offstage member of the Grandview Quartet and Trio and a central member of The Gems (a group that came together out of the Crystal Singers). Patricia was an excellent bridge player, and engaged in competitive games of all types with zest, humour, and youthful enthusiasm.
The decades of weekly hikes and sincere conversations with her great friends in the Wednesday Wanderers group were a particular highlight for Pat. Pat was an extraordinary mother and grandmother and a gentle soul, very loving and giving to all in her life.
Pat’s life will be celebrated at the Strawberry Vale Community Hall, 11 High Street (just off Burnside Road), at 2:00pm, Thursday, November 1.
Feelings and memories may be shared below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Claud Muench
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Marilyn Erickson I was surprised and saddened to hear of your dear mum’s passing. Glen was my favourite high school teacher, then mentor and friend… but we all knew that Pat was always the wind beneath his wings. A kind, gifted, bright, and spirited force who loved her family and friends fiercely, our sincere condolences to you and yours, Peter, Maureen and Michael. Not many grandkids are lucky enough to have had such incredible role models!
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Mariana Chapman My condolences to Michael, Maureen, Peter and families.
I met Pat in the Crystal Singers Choir and see her sing with the Gems. She was a bright light and brought song sheets and played the keyboard at our many potlucks. She had a caring heart and will be missed. I was saddened by the news she had passed! I attended her Celebration of Life where I got to know Pat for the incredible person she was to so many.
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Shawn McKean and family Colin and I had not even yet absorbed the fact that your mum wasn’t still living up on the hill overlooking our meadow. We cherish the neighborly relationship that we shared with your parents for 30 years. The “roving dinners” the hikes, the wildfower walks, the occasional croquet game, chats about the comings and goings of the local birds, and the gift of being included in your Christmas Eve gatherings. We offer you our sincere sympathy. You mother was a gem.
Shawn, Colin, Fraser and Victoria McKean
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Mike Gower Maureen and family, the last thing I spoke to my folks about before dad died was them dealing with the news that they were going to have to say goodbye to Pat. I know my mom will miss her walks very much. I have such great memories being a kid carted along to various Oak Bay teachers get togethers in the 70s, whether it was the This Is Summer? croquet games, Rooksby sing-alongs or times at the De Macedo’s up at Shawnigan Lake. Our parents gave us some great experiences to treasure.
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Anne Tolson Michael, Maureen and Peter,
I was so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. When I think of the phrase “lovely woman,” Pat seems the perfect example of it to me. I was lucky enough to have seen her a couple of times in the last few years and the loveliness that I remember as a child was still as radiant as ever. One of my very earliest memories as a child was carolling during the Christmas season on a dark, windy night in your old neighbourhood, with our mothers. Your mom was singing the Wassailing song (the rest of us were probably humming along) and I’ve loved that song ever since.
Anne
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Jade White Your mom was an such an amazing person with such a kind heart and when she entered a room (no matter how big or small) she lit up it with such warmth, light and happiness. My heart has been so heavily saddened when I learned of her passing. Sending my sincere condolences with love and prayers to the family. I know I will miss her dearly.
Jade White
(Crystal Singer/Gem Singer)
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Jim Dempsey I first met Pat as one of Glen’s 1968 Reach For the Top Students who religiously came to their house on Redfern to challenge the Quiz Kids on TV every Tuesday evening. Apparently it worked as we went on to become Canadian Champions. As can only happen in Victoria (and more so now that I ‘belong’ to Newfoundland) I was pleased to meet their son Peter in Scotland when he was coaching the touring OBHS rugby team on a UK Tour in 2006. Our Nephew was on the team and, as a former captain, I was pleased to travel from London to meet the team and watch them win. Peter and I attended the ‘adult party’ after the match and we enjoyed talking about those Tuesday nights in front of the Quiz Kids.
Glen and Pat were our friends from High School on and they were very pleased when Catherine and I married. We have become an Oak Bay couple that has survived more than four decades. I remember with joy the afternoon we visited tham at their home on Glenairlie to tell them of our engagement.
Although we moved ‘away’ as we say in Newfoundland, we tried to keep in touch and I am pleased that both Glen and Pat have, over time, given us two hand tooled hard wood bowls that came from the shop on Prospect Lake Road.
Although I am sad to accept Pat’s passing, I am so glad that Catherine and I were able to enjoy coffee and pastries with her at the Oak Bay Marina when we visited Victoria for my 50th anniversary of graduating Oak Bay High School.
I am retired now, after an exciting career. I am proud to tell you that Glen and Pat helped to make me who I am.
Tears,
Jim
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Helen Gilespie My sincere condolences to all of Pat’s family. It was a pleasure to sing with her in the Crystal Singers, and “The Gems”, and to listen to her wise comments in Book Club. She will be greatly missed by many many people.
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Gail Prette Pat was my cousin. She looked after my father and my step mother’s special needs for years. I loved her deeply and will remember her always.
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Lesley Lockie I will always remember Pat with a big smile on her beautiful face, radiating her positive and helpful spirit and energy. She will be sorely missed.
A fond memory of Pat is how she infused fun into Crystal Singers parties, and I remember with a smile her signs and props (and acting out) “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. She had so much fun bubbling inside of her.
Hearing of her passing is very sad news and I send my sincere condolences to the family.
Lesley Lockie (Crystal Singers)
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Ron Boehm So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother, Mike – our condolences to you and your family. What a wonderful description of Pat’s life here. She had such a full, bountiful life!
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Liliane Pat always found interesting things about the author or subject of a book for our monthly book club. She will be sorely missed:(
Condoléances to her family
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Sue Molholm (Hunt) I have such wonderful memories of growing up with Mike, Maureen and Peter! Trips to Long Beach, Hornby Island and Parksville to play croquet! I especially remember the laughter and singing. Pat and Glen led the way – always so cheerful and full of fun! I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing – truly the loss of a dear soul. My heart goes out to the family❤️
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John McDonald Pat was a wonderful Mother, friend and great role model to many of us over the years. She will be missed. Rest In Peace dear friend.
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Joy McLeod So sorry for the loss of your Mother You will always hold the memories close to your heart.
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Allan Mawdsley I must add that Pat was not only an “offstage” member of the Grandview Quartet/Trio as she was an integral part of our shows as she would entertain the audience by playing old songs while we were setting up. Everyone loved her.
Allan
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Allan Mawdsley Pat was such a wonderful, precious, special lady and will be sorely missed.
Allan (Grandview)
the Atkinson family ..I am very sorry for loss of your mother PAT I am one of the three kids who started grade one together at west Langley school and graduated together in grade 12 at Langley high school .. the other student was Peter Cowie who passed away April 7 2018 ..condolences also come from the grad class of 1956 that are still celebrating our lives