Obituary of Patricia Workman

“Jimmy, we always did know that what we had in life was so very special.  You will be in my heart till I can be with you again. Yours, Pat”. Those words were found written on the inside cover of an old paper back book. Now they are together having left a legacy of joy, adventure and love for friends and family left behind.

Immediately after marrying in 1950 they immigrated to Montreal from Scotland and set about creating their new life.  Jimmy went to work in the shipyards while Pat set about raising a family that eventually included sons Jim, Allan, daughter Lynne, and son Michael.

In 1964 Pat and Jimmy moved into their first house and Pat blossomed into the social butterfly that she remained for the rest of her life. Pat loved music and entertaining.  She had a career, that she loved, as a teacher in early childhood education. Most weekends were filled with hosting parties or visiting with friends.  In the 70s Pat decided that she and Jimmy would learn how to square dance and how to ballroom dance. Pat would make her dresses with matching outfits for Jimmy.  Her outfits were so popular that making outfits for others became a part time business.  They had a blast travelling across Canada and the U.S. to conventions. At home they would spontaneously start dancing for no reason other than their love of dance, music and each other.

Pat loved to travel.  She would pick the destination and Jimmy would enthusiastically tag along. Australia, Germany, England, Cuba and all over the states.  Two of her favourite destinations, Atlantic City and Las Vegas.  She loved the casinos.

You cannot recount Pat’s life without including her love of the game of bridge. What began as a casual pastime with friends in Montreal became an obsession when she moved to Ontario. In 2005 Pat said “Bridge. It has become almost like a religion.  I’m totally addicted to the game.” Pat played bridge, taught bridge, dreamed bridge and, through the game, made many wonderful friends.

Beyond Jimmy’s death in 2010 tragedy did fall into Pat’s life.  In 1994 their beloved daughter, Lynne died in a car accident and in 2014 great grandson Bryce passed accidentally.

Pat’s never give up attitude meant that joy would over take grief and shortly after Lynne’s passing she and Jimmy flew to Arizona to see their oldest grandson, Joel, graduate from university.  Pat took great delight being with her grandchildren Joel (and Melanie) Kerri (and Malcolm)  and Jeffrey (and Lisa)who have gone on to give her even greater delight with her great grandkids, Jalyn, Zoey, Alyssa, Jack, Max, and Lauren.

Fondly remembered by “The Professional Ladies” bridge group and so many others. Pat will be missed by an awful lot of people.  Jim and Delia, Allan and Diane, and Michael and Lori and her best friend forever Lea.

To everyone at Chartwell Westmount Retirement, thank you for making the past 4 years so enjoyable for Pat.  Thank you to the staff at GRH and Freeport, you are angels.

A special thank you to Amber O’Grady who arranged for Pat to be in a calm and peaceful place.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Saturday November 2^nd from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Chartwell Westmount Retirement Residence, 190 David Bergey Dr, Kitchener Ontario.

Pat’s final message to everyone would probably be “Be happy..and dance”.