This year we will have to celebrate mum’s birthday without her, it became quite obvious in the early month of August that mum had other plans for her 77th birthday that didn’t include us. Yup, she was going to spend it with the love of her life, our late father Kenneth Lepack and there was absolutely nothing any of us could have said to change her mind.
Her party is going to be a grand one, therefore she departed on August 10, 2022 to ensure she would have enough time to prepare for the festivities. I’m sure there will be lots of food and square dancing involved!
Patsy was born August 31, 1945 to John and Adeline Stewart of Calumet Island, Quebec. She had many siblings, and she didn’t always get along with them but I’m going to do my best to mention them all... Lloyd, Fred (late Brenda), Harry (Marion), Merle (Harold) and predeceased by Marion, Melba, Reuben, Lindsey, Percy and Annie-May. I’m certain they will sort their sibling rivalry out once she’s settled in.
Patsy lost her mom when she was young and had to help her father care for the farm and other children. She went to work picking tobacco and at the Shawville hospital in the laundry department. Later she met and fell hook, line, and sinker for Kenneth Lepack’s Polish charm and quickly dragged him off to the chapel in Otter Lake, Quebec. Their marriage was "blessed" with 2 sons and a daughter; Ronald (Amanda), Wanda Vuorela, Joseph (baby Joe was her favourite), 10 grandchildren; Kove, Tristin (Ray), Mazra (Richard), Bailey (Christine), Curtis (Tiffany), Craig (Whitney), late Mason, Jayden (Jenna), Mallory (André), McKayla (Matt) and was a great-grandmother of 14.
Patsy enjoyed being a homemaker and caring for her family. She made sure her children and husband always had a lunch pail packed. She was an avid sewer and knitter and made sweaters for many of her grandchildren. Every spring Patsy and Ken would drag their children and their cat “Muscles” off to their Polish Hills homestead in Quebec to make maple syrup. She wasn’t afraid of hard work and made sure her children were rewarded with sweet sap and sugary syrup for helping.
Patsy enjoyed playing cards, darts, bingo (casino) and watching soap operas and game shows. She loved going out for breakfast and coffee with Ken and talking to friends.
Patsy spent her last few years battling dementia at the Elizabeth Center LTC facility in Val Caron, Ontario. Although her stay there wasn’t as pleasant as it should have been she did meet and become best friends with Sandra.
Patsy will be fondly remembered for her sense of humour and quick-witted quirky comments by her family, friends and all who knew her.
Although we can’t celebrate Patsy’s birthday with her this year, she wouldn’t begrudge anyone of enjoying a good piece of cake in her memory.
In lieu of donations of monetary value, we ask that you spend some time with your elders, check in on them, sit with them and make sure they have the best of care wherever they are. Time is the most valuable thing we all have to give; and for heaven’s sake please vote for someone who will fix our failing healthcare system. A party and celebration of Patsy’s life will be held at a later date. www.cooperativefuneralhome.ca