Patricia Margaret Koretchuk

Patricia Margaret Koretchuk (nee Blaney) passed away peacefully July 10th at Peace Arch Hospital. Born in Toronto on April 23, 1934, Pat was the only child of Stanley and Margaret Blaney. For several years during Pat's youth in Toronto her family cared for Harold Porter and Janie Gray, who Pat always considered to be her foster siblings. The family of three moved west to Port Alberni when Pat was 11, and then a few years later moved on to North Vancouver. Pat spoke fondly of her adventurous teen years swimming in Lynn Creek and shared her love of the North Shore mountains with her beloved Uncle Albert.

In 1953 she married and had 3 children Diane, Sue, and Michael Steacy. After the marriage ended in 1965, Pat bucked tradition and raised her three young children as a single mother while pursuing her dream of achieving her teaching degree from U.B.C. While at University she met the love of her life, Tom Koretchuk, and married him (becoming part of his gregarious big, perogy-loving, Ukrainian family) in 1968. Their son David was born 3 yrs later in New Westminster where Pat, Tom and the older children lived for several years. In 1979 the family moved to the beautiful ocean-view house they designed and built in White Rock where they remained for many years.

Pat worked in elementary and junior high schools for 20 years in Surrey as a classroom teacher, learning assistance teacher, and a vice principal. She was particularly drawn to the challenge of working with vulnerable children who struggled with learning, and was dedicated to many extracurricular clubs and committees. With her big smile, easy laugh and giant heart, Pat was well loved by all those that worked with her, students and staff alike.

During her "retirement" she remained active and engaged with book clubs, writing groups, and the University Women's club. Her true passion was writing and write she did. Amongst other writing achievements, she was particularly proud of her 4 published memo irs and two book-length biographies. Her hope was that her stories "both generated and reinforced class and racial equality by illustrating how we as humans have more similarities than we have differences." A sensitive listener, Pat's stories reflected her boundless curiosity about life and her unique ability to connect with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Throughout her life Pat cherished time out in the natural world observing all its wonder. She often told stories of her father teaching her to be a silent observer in nature. She was always up for adventure, bringing her characteristic good humour and party spirit with her wherever she went. She camped, kayaked, travelled, hiked, skied, and even river rafted through Hell's Gate on the Fraser River in her 60's.

As a mother Pat's dream was to create a large supportive and loving family - we think she was successful! She was so dearly loved and will be missed greatly by her 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. We love you mom.

In her own words: "now at the end of my life I am no longer  a 'lonely only' and am grateful that Tom and I have shared a love and built a family that is standing the test of time."