Obituary of Patricia Mary Atwater

Our beautiful mother, gram and great-gram passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital on February 7, 2018 as a result of a stroke at the age of 88.

Beloved and loving wife of the late Ward Bishop Atwater (2004) – mom so missed dad after he passed. They were married for 56 wonderful years. And she was a lonely soul after the recent passing of her spirited four-footed companion, dog Lexi. Mom often said that growing old is not for the faint of heart. She still lived on her own, in the home she and dad built, and was still driving around town on errands.

Loving mother of Harry and his wife Lynne Atwater of Cambridge and Rosanne and her husband Bill Hallatt of Heidelberg. Special gram to Jason Atwater (Judy) of Ayr and Jennifer Atwater (Chris) of Cambridge. Great-gram to Evan and Alec Atwater and Kayven and Ashton Randell – her “four little boys.”

Predeceased by her parents Michael (1983) and Eleanor (1976) Koehler and her only sibling, younger brother William Koehler (2012).

Lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law and card-playing pal Leona Koehler and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends both in Waterloo Region and Nova Scotia.

Family meant everything to mom. She was a home body and spent her life cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing, gardening and birdwatching at the cottage. She loved to play a good game of Solo and there was nothing better than putting son Harry down. Laughter and guffaws all around. Always conscious of fashion, she took care to the very end that her tops, pants, shoes and jewelry came together in a matching outfit. And she loved shiny jewellery, pendants and glass.

A charter member of the Canadian Carnival Glass Association and Carnival Companions, she spent many an hour chasing that elusive piece of carnival glass and meeting great people along the way. She tickled the ivories and particularly enjoyed playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. She was an inveterate list maker and organizer. Observant and engaged she continued to watch over her neighbourhood as well as the world of politics. In later years she was very interested in local history and supported daughter Rosanne in her many research activities. Mom was a charter member of St. Aloysius Catholic church.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  The funeral service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 11 a.m.  A reception will immediately follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Room.  Interment at Parkview Cemetery.

In Patricia’s memory, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

Don’t cry because it’s over,

Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss