It is with great sadness that we tell you of Pat’s sudden passing at home on Sunday 4th of Jan 2015.
Pat was born in Burr Oak, Kansas in the summer of ’42 to Wilber and Maxine Clemons. She graduated from White Rock High School in Mankato, Kansas class of 1960 and had been able to stay connected to friends, family and class mates with many trips back for Memorial Day and high school reunions (16 kids in the class).
Pat was predeceased by her folks Wilber & Maxine, infant daughter Melony Lynn, brothers Jerry (Carol) and Bill (Dorothy) and sister Leanne as well as son-in-law Sandro Guercio. Pat is survived by her loving husband of 40 years Vern, son Tim in Kansas City, Kansas, daughters Carla in Quesnel, Kristina (Paul) in Kamloops, Sherri (Randy), and Tambi (Tom) from Trail, sister Linda in Boise, Idaho and brother Barry (Jenny) in Seattle, Wash., 11 grandkids and 4 special great-grandkids, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and life friends both here and around the country.
Pat and Vern met quite by chance in Spokane, Wash. 18 Mar 1971 and “THAT WAS IT”. They were married on the 8th of June 1974 in the outdoor chapel at Tweedsmere scout camp in Fruitvale to the sound of Gordon’s bagpipes and the delight of gathered family and friends. Pat had trained as an LPN in Spokane and worked at Sacred Heart in Spokane as well as the Colville hospital. After she and Vern were married she worked at Woolco in Trail and later with Vern at Parslow Lock & Safe. Smart and with a good measure of “Clemons Kansas stubborn” she was able to do most anything she put her mind to, a fabulous cook, talented cross stitcher, “best wife” and SUPER MOM. With Vern in the local militia unit and with kids in the Army Cadet movement it was only natural for Pat to get involved, she spent several years as a commissioned officer on the cadet instructor list completing her Captain qualifying course 19 March 1977.
Pat was always a Believer but was led to the Lord in the fall of 1985 by Pastors Dave and Beth GOFF while she and Vern were attending a couples retreat, put on by the Fruitvale church Dave and Beth were pastoring, several months later pastor Dave (former scrum half and Vern’s teammate with the Trail Colonials rugby club) baptized both Pat and Vern.
Pat’s life centered on the kids and grandkids and they were without a doubt her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment.
Pat and Vern loved to travel together, poke around in antique shops, and spend time at the family cabin on the Arrow lakes in Shields and hold hands together.
After some significant medical issues Pat suffered a massive stroke in July 2012 and spent the next 5 months in hospital both here in Trail as well as Kelowna. Pat’s recovery while not complete was due in large part to the heroic efforts of Pat’s doctor Jennifer Cochran and Robin Sofanoff the head nurse on medical floor at the Trail hospital who worked hard to provide all the medical support available to get her home. THANK YOU!
I want to acknowledge with great humility the debt we feel as a family to Dr. Susan Benzer, Dr. Jennifer Cochran, Dr. Mike and the whole emerg dept. team who bailed us out so many times over the last 6 years Pat had been ill, as well as everyone on 2nd floor surgical, and 3rd floor medical, from the cleaners, porters, lab staff, kitchen team and all the nursing teams who treated Pat with such care and compassion. You have truly BLESSED us both, THANK YOU.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Branch #11 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Trail, BC. at 11:00 am. Pastor and friend Brian Henry of the Fruitvale Christian Fellowship will handle the service followed by a luncheon provided by the ladies from the church. Interment and grave side service at the Mountain View cemetery will then take place for any who wish to attend. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy donations can be made in Pat’s name to the Kootenay Boundary Hospital Foundation at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online to www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca