Avis de décès de Patricia-Louise Ritchie

PATRICIA LOUISE Ritchie (nee: Garnett) Pat (Patricia Louise) Ritchie of Olds, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Olds Long Term Care Facility in Olds, Alberta on Friday morning, July 18, 2014 at the age of eighty-seven. Pat was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 16, 1927 to Vera and S. Crawford Murray and was known to her friends as "Patty Lou." Following the passing of her father while still a young girl, her mother married Frank Garnett, who formally adopted Patty Lou. After spending some of her growing up years in Regina, Patty Lou's parents moved to Toronto, Ontario where Patty Lou attending Havergal College until her graduation from High School in 1946. Following high school, Pat attended the University of Toronto where she graduated with a degree in English Literature. It was while at the University that Pat met her future husband, Dick Ritchie. Pat and Dick were married in Knox College Chapel at the University of Toronto on October 6, 1950. Following a brief time as a Presbyterian Minister's wife in the Merigomish/Antigonish area of Nova Scotia, Pat found her role changing to that of being a Chaplain's wife in the Canadian Armed Forces for the next twenty-three years, which took them from Canada to France to Germany and then back to Canada. Following Dick's retirement from the Canadian Military while stationed at CFB Comox, the family moved to Olds, Alberta in 1974 where Pat continued her role as a minister's wife until 1985. As a young girl Pat had been introduced to Pioneer Camps in Ontario, a relationship which continued up until her most recent camp experience at Family Camp at Pioneer Ranch Camp, Rocky Mountain House in 2010. Pat's love for animals, especially horses was evident. She had many fond memories formed over the years with her four-legged friends: numerous horses, dogs and cats; and mom could often be overheard "kee-ing" to the hawks as they circled over Adair Meadows just southeast of Olds. Pat's early experiences at travel with Dick during their military years may have helped form mom's willingness to go abroad following Dick's passing, as she headed to Lisbon, Portugal and then some years later to Angola, Africa to visit her son, daughter-in-law and her grandchildren. Pat enjoyed having all her grandchildren close at hand for most of the past seven years, including two years during which time Pat lived with her son and his family in Olds. During mom's last few years, her short-term, and eventually her long term memory were increasingly a challenge, though mom would almost always become engaged through the hearing of scripture or the singing of some of her favorite hymns and choruses. Pat was predeceased by her father, Samuel Murray Crawford, her step-father, Frank Garnett, her mother, Vera Garnett and her husband, Dick. Though Pat will be deeply missed by her son, Peter (Areni); her grandchildren, Wojamo, Ciara and Rochelle; her niece, Frances Ritchie; her cousin Dick (Elly) Beare of Sequim, Washington; her cousin Belva Foster (and family) of Lubango, Angola; and many friends both in the Olds area and from places across North America and beyond. We can rejoice that she is at last safely, securely and eternally enwrapped in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A Memorial Service celebrating Pat's life will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 5038-49 St., Olds, Alberta on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Doug Maxwell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Alberta Pioneer Ranch Camps. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 www.heartlandfuneralservices.com