Patricia Cordelia Welford

Patricia (Pat) was born in Rainham, Kent, England on February 12, 1935. She was the third of five children born to Raymond and Mary (Nee Miles) Chapling. Things were a little cramped with 5 kids and 2 adults living in a 700 sq. ft. three up and three down house, but all survived. The Second World War brought bombing to the little town so consequently Pat & Pete were shipped off complete with gas masks to a coal mining village in Wales. After the war was over Pat & Pete returned to school and a normal life in Rainham. Pat, in her teen years became quite the athlete, she represented the county of Kent in the All England Finals at hurdles.

In 1953, at the age of 18 Pat met this handsome, young Army (REME) lad named Peter John Welford. She was obviously smitten and a romance followed. In due course, Peter proposed and the local village church was booked for a 1954 Boxing Day (December 27) marriage; complete with church bells.

The life of a soldier during these times meant lots of moving in addition to raising four children, Gary, Mark, Shelley and Patrick.

Between 1955 and 1970 Pete was posted to Northern Ireland, Germany, Aden, and the U.K. Peter, having had sufficient travelling experience retired from the army and took up residence with Pat and their four children, in Nottingham, England.

The last great journey was in 1975 when the family decided to emigrate to North Delta, B.C. Canada.

After many happy years of retirement in Abbotsford, Pat, unfortunately was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

In typical fashion Pat never allowed the disease to prevent her from being the fun loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother right up to the end. She will be forever missed by all who had the privilege to know her. Rest in peace our dear Pat.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.