Patricia Anne Burke

June 11/43 - June 15/26

Our Patricia has now left us. After battling her cancer for the past few years, she left the hospital to spend her last days at home, a move that pleased her and her family. Pat grew up in Windsor, Ontario, and her first memory of her daddy was when W.W.II was over and this strange man came to live in her house with her mother and her older sister, Joyce. Pat’s attraction to children led her to Windsor Teachers College and from there to the classroom.

In 1969 with three children in tow - Doug the youngest being 4 months old, Jeff the eldest who was 5 years-old and the middle son Greg - we moved to Kenora, a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. With spirit dogs as pets over the decades, we managed to survive the often brutal winters, the distance from family, and the pains of losing sons as they matured and settled elsewhere.

In our early Kenora days, Pat quickly joined the local bridge club which helped ease our journey into a totally new environment. Our involvement in Knox Church was a huge help in our transition, particularly the Young Couples Club.

In 1970 she began teaching full-time at Northward School that occupied what is now part of the parking lot at Seven Generations. From there she moved to Evergreen School to teach her favourite students in her special education class until her retirement in 1998.

By this time our sons had dispersed, two to Michigan and one to Ottawa (who made up for the two that abandoned us to the U.S.) There they have provided us with eight grandchildren. Since her retirement Pat’s love of quilting dominated her free time and the Knox Quilters was an enriching activity. These last few limiting years, along with reading, word puzzles, ancient evening TV shows and lunching out - a great social activity in our little town - her time was well spent.

Special thanks to the kind, experienced professional staff of Kenora’s hospital chemo department, Mike Limerick and the staff of home care health, and the generous kindness and concern of friends and acquaintances.

Pat’s last few days were spent at home in a hospital bed offered by the Vermillion Bay Lion’s Club. It was set up to provide a fine view of our backyard. Our son suggested hanging a humming bird feeder outside the window and within minutes a pair of hungry hummers visited the feeder and Pat, an avid nature fan, was thrilled to see them.

Thank you for all our delightful little town has offered (not a city regardless of it’s official name). Should you chose to do so, Pat may be remembered with a donation to one of Kenora’s charitable organizations.

At this time, no services/celebrations have been scheduled.