Patricia (Lalonde) Peters

Pat was born Marie Bella Patricia Lalonde to parents Herman and Marie in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She was second eldest of 8 children, and survived her sisters Dolores and Marina, and her brothers Leonard, Barney, Ed, Dennis and Delbert.

Pat's family struggled in poverty through the Depression, and in 1947 at 16, she moved to Vancouver. At age 18, she married Glen Brundige. They had 3 daughters, Linda, Wendy and Debra, and bought their first house in North Vancouver for $500 (those were the days!) She was a devoted wife and mother, creating a fun and loving home - there were many parties, lots of music, and she loved to dance. Pat gave back by volunteering for many years at a mental health clinic, modelling kindness to her children.

When the family bought a chicken and berry farm in Langley, along with eggs and berries, she sold at the door her homemade baking - her Christmas cakes were a hit! After 2 years of hard work on the farm, they moved to Maple Ridge, and with her children leaving home she enrolled in secretarial school, rediscovering herself as receptionist and switchboard operator for North Pacific Shipping in downtown Vancouver. Then after 25 years together came divorce from Glen. She went on to marry twice more, to Jerry Draho and to Con Peters. Later in life she delighted in the surprise on people's faces when she told them she had been divorced 3 times. When she moved to White Rock, she began her career of caregiving for young children in their home, serving some 51 families, and keeping in touch with many for years after.

In 1999 at 68, she retired and moved to Smithers to spend time with her northern family, getting to know better her eldest grandchildren, Dawn, Eric and Callie. Her home was at Alpine Village Estates right behind the high school, and the kids would often pop over to visit. She lived there independently for the next 23 years, enjoying her garden, maintaining all the hanging flower baskets, and being Social Convener for the Strata. When she needed assisted living, she moved to The Meadows, appreciating her lovely suite and the good care. She gave an engraved bench to Alpine Village to thank the community for her happy times there. Please visit, have a seat, and remember her. Pat found her niche in Smithers, becoming an active member of the community. She joined The Pretenders Seniors Choir, also the Telkwa Seniors and their drama group. She volunteered for Hospice; and at the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, chatting up everyone and setting sales records. She was a greeter at her church, and she found her best friend Rose. She seemed to know everyone. And she enjoyed the many get-togethers at Linda and Gary's Woodmere home, often helping with housework and gardening.

Pat had a cheerful disposition and positive outlook on life, and friends said that knowing her has enriched their lives. She dressed well, and would laughingly say she felt naked without her earrings. Her first job was at Eaton's, and she confessed that after spending her wages on her shoe fetish, she had a closet full of shoes and no clothes to go with them. Her passions were walking, baking (yummy cinnamon buns), knitting and sewing clothes and costumes for her family; and travelling to Europe, Bahamas and Hawaii with her last 2 husbands, also visiting Wendy in Australia. She created beautiful cross-stitch pictures and greeting cards for her family and friends, and remembered everyone. She played poker, scrabble, crib, and especially Rummikub - even playing late into the night, she would ask hopefully, “one more game?” And she became quite entertaining after the odd nip of her favourite cherry whisky, or Baileys or wine.

Pat leaves behind daughters Linda (Gary) and Wendy (Brian), predeceased by daughter Debra (Rick). She had 4 grandchildren: Dawn (Matthew), Eric (Kristen), Callie (Mike), Myranda (Jeff); and 6 great grandchildren: Sophie, Graham and Cadence, Caius, Barrett and Griffin; and 17 nieces and nephews: Penny, Cindy (Alex), Dixie (Andy), Pat (Cindy), Lisa, Craig (Brenda), Lita (Gordon), Carol (John), Belinda, Colleen (Doug), Ann (Doug), Marilyn, Dana (Jeff), David (Glenna), Mary, Lee (Pam), Lynn (Murray). She loved also her “adopted” families: Donna and Jim, Karen and Floyd, John and Dawn. We are grateful for her legacy.

At age 93, with failing health and advancing dementia, she chose to die with dignity by accessing medical assistance in dying. Her loving family were present to give her a wonderful send-off and to see her pass away in peace. When we read this eulogy to her, she was very pleased and declared, “My, but I've lived a full life!”  She will be dearly missed, but she will live on with great affection in our memories and in the stories we will continue to tell of her.   

To Dr. Preto and Central Square Medical Clinic, the Home Care staff and the staff at The Meadows Assisted Living, her pharmacist Mike Brinnen, and her friends everywhere: thank you from her family for the caring and support you gave to our beloved Mom (The Mom), Grandma (Oma), Great Grandma (GoGo), Aunt, and Great Aunt. “It's not just the hugs at the end, but the hugs we all gave Pat through her life that she so appreciated”.

No formal service is planned.

In time, her ashes will be laid to rest in Telkwa Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, these are Pat's favoured charities: the food program at Telkwa School, the Salvation Army and the Christmas Hamper Program, Operation Eyesight, and the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

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