Patricia May Skinberg

Pat (or Tish as she was lovingly referred to by her Drumheller family and friends), was predeceased by her parents, Sinnott and Marion Macdonald, her parents-in-law, Adolph and Barbara Skinberg, and brothers-in-law, Roger Skinberg and David Blair.

Pat is survived and dearly missed by her husband of 61 years, Terry, daughters Pam (Craig Giltrap), Sandra (Geoff Menu), Jackie (Steve Barker), granddaughters Grace and Katelyn, sister Dianne Blair, sisters-in-law, Bonnie Groome and Lynn Head, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Born in Drumheller, Alberta on September 24, 1942, Pat often fondly recounted her active childhood, including many hours spent roaming the hills of the Badlands in search of dinosaur bones, beating the heat at the outdoor swimming pool, curling during the long, Prairie winters, and endless adventures with her best friend, Maureen Russell (nee Davies).

After graduating high school, Pat attended the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and obtained certification as an Industrial Laboratory Technician. Pat and Terry married in 1964 and resided in Edmonton, building their first home on 39th Avenue, where many friends and endless memories were made. They later moved to Butterworth Way, where again, they met many wonderful neighbours.

Pat stayed home to raise her daughters (the ultimate homemaker!), eventually returning to the workforce in the mid-1980’s. She put her lab tech training to good use and had a successful career at the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The family enjoyed summer camping trips in a tent trailer in various locations across Alberta and B.C., before Pat and Terry built their cabin at Robb, Alberta. Pat was a nature-lover and spent many happy hours at Robb, on the lookout for wild birds and whatever other creatures that ventured through the yard.

Pat had many hobbies throughout the years, including swimming, curling, downhill and cross-country skiing, gardening, and playing bridge. She was a fantastic seamstress, spending many, many hours in the sewing room that Terry specially made for her. She made clothing for the girls, including fancy dresses for special occasions, and was a master at making stuffed dolls, bears, and cats (treasures that are still proudly displayed in our homes). Pat also loved cooking and finding new and adventurous recipes to serve at dinner parties with beloved friends (like the infamous “Gourmet Group”). Pat was very generous and kind and never hesitated to invite an extra person to stay for dinner, welcome a stray animal in from the cold, or lend a hand to someone in need.

In recent years, health issues, including kidney failure and multiple myeloma, made life uncomfortable for Pat. However, she faced every challenge with the utmost strength and grace, never one to complain, even though she had every right to do so. The family is grateful to particular individuals at the various health facilities who provided care and compassion to her as best they could.

The family thanks everyone who reached out, both before and after Pat’s passing. The last several years have been difficult but your kind words, support, and gifts have meant so much. An informal celebration of Pat’s life will be planned at a later date.