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PATTY BAKKESTAD-LEGARE
Date of Passing: Mar 13, 2012
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
PATTY BAKKESTAD-LEGARE Patty passed away on March 13, 2012. Her full obituary can be found online under Passages at winnipegfreepress.com. A celebration of Patty's life will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent.
Publish Date: Apr 4, 2012
PATTY BAKKESTAD-LEGARE On March 13, the light that was Patty Bakkestad-Legare dimmed and faded away. When the last flicker darkened, a shadow of sadness was cast over all who knew her. Although she is no longer with us in body, we are at peace. We know that we carry a flame and an appreciation for life that Patty instilled within us. Dallas was her husband for 32 years, her partner for 39 and her dear friend for many years before that. Our children Niall and Kaira were her pride and joy and her love for them was evident in her every thought and action. Throughout their lives, she was filled with pride and admiration; for within them she could see an enthusiasm for life and a continuance of the values she held dear. Born 55 years ago in the farming community of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, she was raised in a family that always placed the ideals of family and community at the highest level. Throughout her life, Patty nurtured these values within her and shared them freely. From her parents, Elling and Jean Bakkestad (now deceased) she learned the value of friends and family and the importance of a strong work ethic that provided her with self-gratification for any job well done. In her sisters, Sharon, Carol and Vicky, she found love and acceptance, the freedom to be different while celebrating their commonality. Within her large and loving extended family of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins, she amazed us with her ability to genuinely love and relate to each as a unique individual no matter their age, their interest or what the setting might be. Her love for people and her ability to find the best in all and her insistence to always give the benefit of the doubt meant that throughout her life, she was surrounded by friends who could count on her unconditional love, her unqualified support and her unabated attention that always placed them above herself or her needs. Our home was open to all and our dinner table always big enough to accommodate everyone. There was an abundance of food, conversation and the freedom to share any opinion, any story and every laugh. In her home, friends were treated like family and family was always considered friends. Patty dedicated herself to the field of laboratory technologist, and following five years of work in Saskatoon, she and Dallas moved to Winnipeg. She worked in various clinical and research laboratories before accepting the position of charge technologist responsible for the establishment of a Cellular Therapy Laboratory for the newly formed Manitoba Blood and Marrow Transplant Program within CancerCare Manitoba. Never satisfied with the status quo, she endeavored to improve herself and her team with continuous additional education and training. Her ideals were to empower herself and those who worked with her so that they would formulate a team that could provide the best product and service to those in need. How ironic that in 2006, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer. Suddenly, her boss became one of her doctors and her coworkers became the individuals who would handle and process her sister Vicky's bone marrow that provided her with six additional years of life and love. For six years she lived with cancer, never allowing it to interfere with her goals. Following a year recovery from her transplant, she accepted a position of Quality Manager for the Transplant Program. A commitment to her work led Patty to re-educate herself for this new position and often found her connected to blood and treatment products suspended from an iv pole within the CancerCare treatment room. With a laptop pulled over her bed and surrounded by a pile of binders, she and her colleagues reviewed, revised and rewrote a quality program that allowed them to attain and maintain a prestigious accreditation of the highest quality standard. Patty was always dedicated to her work and asked that any donations made in her name be sent to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 1160-675 McDermot Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9. Funds will be directed to the Cellular Therapy Laboratory whose vision is to develop a cure through research, technology and clinical excellence. She also loved the simple things so she asks that you buy a friend a flower, sign your donor card and do a good deed today. To all who provided care and support to Patty and our family, we own you our thanks. The only way to ensure that no one is missed is to start with Commissionaire Ross who greeted us at the front door every weekend, to Patty's primary physician, Ade Olujohungbe and everyone in between. Each one of you played a major role along our path. Your caring gentle touch, your conscientious and attentive professionalism, and your compassion and friendship eased this difficult journey. A celebration of Patty's life will be held on Saturday, April 7 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent.
Publish Date: Apr 4, 2012
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2012
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
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What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful person. Your family will be kept in my prayers. - Posted by: Lia Baksina () on: Apr 09, 2012
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Dear Kaira, You have a beautiful and a loving mother who is proud of you going to university. I will always remember her smile when she talks about you studying in another province. May you find peace and comfort in all those loving memories. - Posted by: Jenifer Hernaez (good friend of her co-worker (Elisa Nato)) on: Apr 07, 2012
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Dallas, Niall, Kiara My plans to attend Patty's memorial service changed this am., and I am sorry I am not there to celebrate her well lived life. The tribute you wrote was perfect and I have shared it with many who have never met her yet were able to get a glimpse of the special woman she was. I will remember most her infectious smile , her laugh , the way she was always so interested in what was going on in your life and the pride she took in her family. I pray you will be surrounded by love in these difficult days. Please feel my hugs.......Sandi. - Posted by: Sandra Kimball (Childhood friend) on: Apr 07, 2012
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Please accept our condolences and deepest sympathy to your family. Patty was a lovely, warm and caring person and she will be missed. You are in our thoughts and hearts. - Posted by: Real and Michelle Arams (Nephew and family) on: Apr 06, 2012
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First, I would like to thank the family for the beautiful tribute to Patti in the obituary you have written. It captures her essence wonderfully and I know from experience that is hard to do. Of course, I also learned so much more about her than I ever knew. I am unfortunately unable to attend the celebration on the 7th. Hoping that the love of family and friends helps you through that day and the days/months to come. I had the great pleasure of working with Patti over 20 yrs on D6. She was excellent at her job and it was such a privilege to have her expertise and calm professionalism to guide us. It is not easy to treat a co-worker, but she somehow made it easier for us. Patti had a strong determination to do everything in her power to be with her family as long as possible. When she was in hospital for her transplant she talked about her family and was obviously so proud of her children, making it a priority to go to a performance of one of her children while still an inpatient in the hospital. All the while, computer not far from her side keeping up to date with work and friends. What I will remember first when her name is mentioned is her beautiful smile. Patti also showed me personally, great kindness and compassion over the last few years, which I will always remember. Peace to you Patti, My condolences to you Dallas, and your family. - Posted by: Diane Koch-Schulte (co-worker on BMT program) on: Apr 04, 2012
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Dallas, Niall and Kaira my thoughts are with you at this time. Though I didn't see Patty much during her illness or in the years that she was raising her beautiful children, I can tell you that nothing was more important to her than her family and she just lit up telling me about all of you. I will forever have a special place in my heart for her because through Patti I met my husband and have been able to have my own beautiful family life and for that I am forever grateful to her. - Posted by: Michelle Gooding (Fellow Coworker on the BMT Program and Friend) on: Apr 02, 2012
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Dallas, Niall & Kaira, although we are unable to be with you and your family our thoughts and prayers are with you. Patty will be missed very much so, but our memories we have become our treasures. - Posted by: Lynn & Rob Fraser (Ellert) and Henry Ellert & Family (Friend) on: Apr 01, 2012
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I worked across the hall from Patty for a number of years and had no idea she had cancer. Patty was always happy and would speak of her family with a big smile. I'll miss seeing her and smelling her delicious lunches! My sympathies to Patty's family. - Posted by: Jackie Hykaway (friend) on: Mar 29, 2012
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I shall not forget the summer vacations I enjoyed at the farm with the Bakkestad family and with my cousin Patty. My condolences to Dallas and family. - Posted by: Iris Lord (Cousin) on: Mar 25, 2012
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Patty is my sister and a very special talented person. We loved to spend time just talking and taking the time to enjoy each other. I will miss her very much but my memories are wonderful and everlasting. Carol - Posted by: Carol Mitchell (sister) on: Mar 22, 2012
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Dear Dallas, Niall and Kaira So sorry to hear of the loss of Patty. Patty was such a beautiful person and so full of life and compassion. I only worked with her for a short time but developed a lasting friendship with her. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her especially the people at CCMB. This is a lady who can never be replaced and will never be forgotten. My prayers are with you and will continue to stay with you in your time of sorrow. - Posted by: Michelle Beaucage (Former Co-worker) on: Mar 22, 2012
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Dear Dallas, Niall, and Kaira, We will miss Patty very much. - Posted by: Mark d'Almeida and Joanna Lynch (Friend) on: Mar 19, 2012
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Very sorry for your family's loss. - Posted by: Tom Knapper () on: Mar 19, 2012
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. We hope your special memories give you peace. - Posted by: Murray and MaryLee Roney (friend) on: Mar 18, 2012
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I offer my most sincere condolences to the family. To Niall and Kaira: votre mère était si fière de vous et de tout ce que vous faisiez. J'aimerais vous dire combien je suis désolée pour vous et que je pense à vous. - Posted by: Annick Carstens () on: Mar 18, 2012
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Patty was always full of enthusiasm, spunk, laughter and love, not to mention compassionate. I knew her as a giggler, and beautiful young woman. It is a great loss to anyone who knew her that she is gone. I was at her hone in Winnipeg about four years ago and we had such a lovely evening in her home. I always felt part of the Bakkestad family and have fond memories of Patty playing cards with her Dad and Mom, eating lefse and warm family times. She was the best. Please accept my condolences, and very deepest sympathy to the family. - Posted by: Marcia Frid (good friend of vicky and Patty) on: Mar 17, 2012