Patricia Sonia Burke

1935-2026

As the sun set on November 4th, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother peacefully left this world. Her instructions to us for the end of her life were clear: “Miss me a little but not for too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared; miss me but let me go.”

That love, the love that she shared with us and the love in which we now take comfort, was truly the central tenet upon which Patsy built her life. The youngest of the fierce Ridgeway Teal sisters, Patsy was born in a time and place that could have constrained who she grew to be. Instead she chose to embrace the world with open arms and boundless curiosity. Over a lifetime filled with triumphs and challenges, her outlook can best be summed up in a lyric from one of her favourite songs: “I never promised you a rose garden; along with the sunshine, there's gotta be a little rain

sometimes…” Pat welcomed every experience as an opportunity. A voracious reader, a poet, and a ceaseless explorer of what it meant to be human, she instilled in her five children, fourteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren the importance of family, kindness, education, and hard work. Throughout a storied 30+ year career at Garden City & Fort Erie Racetracks, while busy raising a family and working tirelessly to create her own personal paradise on Ott Road she never stopped pursuing her many, many passions. History, antiques, spirituality, gardening, geography, bird watching and travel to name a few. Her varied interests were evidenced in the books, art, and collectibles that filled her home. Patsy loved music. She danced, she sang, she laughed, and she cried. She was a cuddler, a hand-holder, and she gave the absolute best hugs in the whole wide world. She delighted at a lively debate and many an evening was spent drinking wine until the wee hours with whatever family members could keep up. Content in her own company, she was nevertheless a vibrant addition to any social gathering. An enthusiastic participant in countless games of euchre, she somehow managed to be both a ruthless and generous participant at the table. Physically active all of her life, Pat was always willing to try something new. Swimming, basketball, skating, snowmobiling, curling, Pilates, and of course, golf, at which she excelled. ‘Multifaceted’ does not do justice to the extraordinary woman she was. One of the greatest gifts that she gave to her family was that she never separated Patsy the matriarch from Pat the person. She gave us all of herself and we are so much

better for it. Patsy believed that life was meant to be lived and that is exactly what she did. So as instructed, we will not mourn with our heads bowed low. As we let her go, we will hold on to the love, the lessons, and the gifts that she bestowed upon us. Embrace life, celebrate love, try everything, fail, but get right back up. Be kind,

laugh out loud, yell when you're mad, and cry when you're hurting. Take ownership. Apologize when you're wrong and sometimes when you're not. Be respectful, but do not mindlessly bend to authority or convention. Never stop asking why. Be honest and authentic. Do the right things for the right reasons. Stay up too late reading, drink wine by the fire, and always eat the second chocolate. Go outside and move your body. Look for good rocks, pull some weeds. Lay down in a secluded glade and sunbathe in the nude.Close your eyes and listen to nature. Create something, but make sure to clean up after yourself. Share, teach, learn, and reflect. Live your life with purpose, intention, and above all, live your life with love. “If I had a nickel, ya know what I would do? I'd spend it all on candy and give it all to you. Cause that's how much I love you, baby, that's how much I love you.”

A special thank you to Pat’s companions and the staff at Chapel Heights and Gilmore Lodge for their loving care over the last few years. Benner Funeral Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. A private family gathering will take place in the future. In lieu of cards and flowers, we ask that you give someone a hug, squeeze extra tight, just as Patsy would have done!

- The Burke kids, grands & great-grands

Pat's family

Tim (Juliann) Burke and their kids

Timothy ( Kelly) and their kids Charlee & Jack

Evan Burke

Breanne Burke (Tom)

Colleen Burke Chilvers

Kathy Burke Hilliker Cooke (Tom) Cooke and kids

Sonia Hilliker and her kids Saffron and Peter

Jamie Hilliker and Tara Badali and their kids James and Morgan

Kaitlin Hilliker

Karen Burke Buchanan and Kent Buchanan and their kids

Jennifer Dumoulin ( Mike Poirier) and their kids Elijah, Jade & Logan

Johnnie Dumoulin

Samantha Buchanan (Eric) and their kid Eleanor

Shannon Buchanan

Mike Burke and kids

Kara-Lee Burke and her kid Arya

Leo Burke

Sienna Burke

As well as several loved step-grands and great-grands