Patricia Merle McDonald mostly known as Pat.
Peacefully Pat left this world to be with the love of her life on Valentine’s Day Feb 14th, 2021. Patricia was born to Isabelle McDowell and John Crawford Andrew in Winnipeg. Pat had one sister Isabelle (affectionately known as Bunts or Honey Bunts). When quite young, following the death of her father Crawford, Isabelle and Pat made their way to Fort William, and then onto Dryden.
Pat attended Dryden High School where she met her high school sweetheart Dick. She worked several jobs; in one of the early pharmacies, for a dentist, Proudfoot’s & the Dryden Clinic. She had a lot of great memories from those times and was a wealth of knowledge of the history of early Dryden and families.
Pat and Dick were married November 10th, 1955 and set off on their honeymoon in blizzard conditions, which they fondly talked and laughed about for many years. Terry came soon after and quickly earned the nickname Tiger Ter or Rotten. Dick had bought camp prior to them getting married and many fun times were had there with family and friends.
Pat & Dick had a rich life filled with many good friends and fantastic memories. Karen & Terry have the series of Logbooks from camp to prove it. Pat always had a smile for everyone and would stop to visit and ask about your family. She loved people. She had a gift of making people feel at ease and used this skill during her years of employ with Dr. Clair Ernewein & her time working with Bob at Stevens Funeral Home. She could make you lose your concern over being in the dentist chair and then she was a warm and welcome face when attending a funeral.
Pat was a hard worker or maybe it was her need to be with people, but she begrudgingly retired from Stevens in her early 70’s, then decided to resurrect the coffee club at 10 Victoria, making sure everyone received their coffee and treat even if they couldn’t make it to the common room; no one was left out. She was very active in the 10 Vic social club and eventually took over running the Tuck Shop…at her family’s insistence that she should slow down. She also would drive people to their appointments or Walmart! Her car actually knew its way there. Her door was open to everyone, even at night, as she loved a good thunderstorm and so that would reassure friends that they could come see her if they were afraid. She passed this love of thunderstorms on to her granddaughter.
Pat had many accomplishments over the years such as getting her driver’s license in ’81! It wasn’t her first time on the road but first time legal. She and Dick demonstrated kindness to so many and were known for taking folks under their wing. Often, Terry came home as a young boy to find himself displaced to the couch or basement to temporarily house the newest Board of Education hire and their family.
She could make quite a feast out of just a few groceries when a crew of 20 or 40 people ended up at camp and she never made anyone feel as though they were imposing.
She and Dick were Terry’s biggest supporters at the Northwoods Raceway in the 90’s and with her usual flair…hair done and looking quite immaculate; she worked the gates at the front and pits and behind the scenes. One of our rainouts was the first time her family ever saw her with her hair not done.
Pat and Dick always demonstrated love, respect and kindness to all. Terry and Dick did see the other side to her however when they had overstepped their boundaries- then there’d be Hell to pay!
Pat loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always so proud to hear about their accomplishments. She also loved her dogs, and always had a dog up until she could no longer look after her Wendy. Pat had a tough time coming to this decision however knew Wendy would be in good hands.
Pat never went anywhere without lipstick and what most people would consider being dressed up; even if she was just heading out shopping downtown or to her favorite store Walmart. People would comment on how good she looked always dressed up and smart looking.
Pat will be missed by so many, especially her family, Terry (Karen, the daughter she never had), grandchildren Melissa (Kyle), Todd (Sheila), great grandchildren Theoren, Kiel & Magda. Special friends Judi, Linda & Joanne; her nieces Fran (John) Platt, Lynn (Joe) Agueci & Connie (Bill) Milne; great niece, nephews, great great niece and nephews. She was predeceased by her mom Isabelle, dad Crawford, stepdad Bob whom she adored; husband Dick, Dick’s parents Leonarda and Dick Sr., sister Bunts & brother-in-law Mitch.
If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Second Chance Pet Network through Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca
