After a long and valiant battle against numerous medical problems, Pat passed away on May 28, 2013.
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me now, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took God’s hand when I heard the call;
I turned my back and left it all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah, yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me-
God wanted me now, God set me free.
Devoted wife to Lawrence, cherished mother of Margaret (Dave), Marilyn (Greg), and Jim (Christine). Loving sister to Tom Windt (Dauna) and Bob Windt (Doris). Proud grandmother of Heidi, Trisha, Megan, Leighton, and Hunter, and great-grandchildren Alexis, Darien, Christopher and Brock. She will be lovingly remembered by her cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a wide circle of friends. Pat was predeceased by her daughter Lorraine (1972), mother Alice Windt (1984), father Thomas E Windt (1985), and sister Lorene Harris Rome (2009).
Pat was born in Quesnel in 1929, and grew up on the family farm three miles south of Australian. The original log home built in 1901 is still standing.
Pat and Lawrence were married in 1949, and purchased 40 acres on Hold road. They resided there until 1957, when Lawrence went to work for Westcoast Transmission in Australian. In 1967, they were transferred to Fort St. John and lived in that area of the province for the next 20 years. When Lawrence retired in 1988, they returned to Kersley.
Pat always had a smile and an encouraging word for anyone she met. She was an organizer, and wherever they lived, she was always actively involved in the community, making lifelong friends along the way. She was an accomplished curler, an avid golfer, and loved working in her garden. Pat and Lawrence put thousands of miles on their motorhome, travelling with family and friends to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Parsnip River, Arizona and across Canada and the US.
When health issues limited her mobility, Pat learned to use the computer, and took on the role of family historian, spending many long hours researching and recording information for the family tree. She also helped document the history of the Kersley Women’s Institute, and provided valuable historical information for the Kersley reunion committee.
In addition to her activity with the Kersley WI, Pat was also instrumental in setting up the Quesnel chapter of the Osteoporosis Support Group.
The family would like to thank all those who helped her to continue living at home, especially her friends Norma Harrison and Lori Coumont, and Lorna from Cherished Moments HC services.
Cremation has taken place. At Pat’s request, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, when all her family and friends can be together.
Expressions of sympathy through a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, or Osteoporosis Society will be appreciated.