Obituary of Patricia Stephenson

Edith Patricia (Pat) Stephenson, nee Garrah

 

Died at Brockville General Hospital September 22, two weeks short of her 82nd birthday.

 

Pat was born in Gananoque, the daughter of Jim and Elsie Garrah.  At the young age of 17 she left Gan to attend Ottawa Teacher’s College and then moved to Toronto to begin a 35 year teaching career. Following her retirement, she returned with her husband to build their home on Charleston Lake. 

 

Pat was active in the community of Lansdowne.  She was a member and ultimately Chair of the Library Board. She participated in the Lansdowne Fair and won numerous awards for baking and gardening. She enjoyed exercise class which she attended faithfully even while undergoing chemo treatments.  She was part of the KnitWits knitting club and 2 book clubs.

 

In Gananoque she was an active member of the Horticultural Society, the Historical Society, and supported the Humane Society’s Cupcakes fundraiser by baking dozens of cupcakes.

 

Pat was dedicated to the Terry Fox Foundation and participated in the walk every year.  She volunteered on the TF committee, sold tee shirts and organized fund raising raffles.  While living in New Zealand for a year she introduced her community to Terry Fox and organized their first ever TF Run.

 

Pat loved the Thousand Islands Playhouse and never missed a show, seeing many more than once.  She was especially fond of the Studio S music series.  Her spot was front row centre.

 

Pat had a full and active life and accumulated numerous friends along the way. 

They along with her family: husband John, brother Jim (Lynda), nephew Steven (Victoria), niece Joanne (Mark) and great nephew Taylor will miss her greatly.

 

Pat was able to remain in her home and care for her husband due in large part to the support and kindness of their friend Tom Robertson and for that she was deeply grateful.

 

As per her wishes there will be no service.  If you wish to honour her in a concrete way you can support any of her passions.