PATRICIA JEAN (PAT) COTTOM (STEPHENSON)

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PATRICIA JEAN (PAT) COTTOM (nee STEPHENSON) Patricia Jean Pat Cottom (nee Stephenson) passed away at her home on Sunday, November 20, 2005 with her family at her side. Pat was born July 22, 1959 at Minnedosa, MB, the youngest of Hugh and Jean Stephenson's three daughters. Pat showed determination and independence at an early age and wasn't always involved in the typical activities of girls her age. There was a good chance she would be seen at her father's garage cleaning headlights, kicking tires and carrying her rag in her back pocket like the other guys. Pat moved with her family to Brandon in 1972. She was an all round athlete and was actively involved in basketball, volleyball and field hockey at Vincent Massey High School. While sports were important to Pat, she also appreciated the importance of the arts, especially music. This was a gift given to her by her mother. Pat was involved with the choirs at First Presbyterian Church, Brandon, St. Andrews United Church, Calgary, and later at Westworth United Church in Winnipeg. These were treasured times spent with her mother Jean, and sisters Ruth and Dianne. Pat always wanted to be a Nurse and in 1980, she graduated from St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing and later that year became a Registered Nurse. She practiced nursing as a Critical Care Nurse at Brandon General Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary and Victoria General Hospital, Winnipeg. Pat had a strong interest in learning new things and this led her to obtaining her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Athabasca University in 1998 and a diploma in Health Infomatics from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 2004. She developed her skills as a teacher and mentor when she taught in the Bachelor of Nursing program for the University of Manitoba, Brandon Campus. A proud day for Pat was giving a speech to the first graduating class of BNs in 2001. Her career path took her to a term position as Program Manager, Emergency Department and finally to her position as Project Manager, Electronic Health Records and Director of Health Information Services at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Pat's determination came to the forefront this year while dealing with the challenges of her illness when she attended a conference in Salt Lake City in March to present a paper on Change Management to a group of her peers. While Pat enjoyed her career, her first love was to be a mother and wife. Pat married Brian on November 8, 1980 after a courtship that started in high school. Daughters, Kyla and Lauren were born in 1985 and 1988. She believed that being there for Kyla, Lauren and husband Brian was important and she made whatever adjustments were needed in her life to accomplish this. Pat was an active encourager and supporter of all the family endeavours and always made them believe there was no reason why you couldn't do it. Pat especially enjoyed sharing times at the cabin at Clear Lake and on the numerous ski hills around Canada with family and friends. While we have lost a daughter, sister, mother, wife, aunt, nurse and friend, we have the memories, wise counsel, and shared vision of Pat to carry on. Pat will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 25 years, Brian; daughters, Kyla and Lauren; parents, Jean and Hugh Stephenson; sisters, Ruth (Dan) Wiwchar and Dianne (David) Sjoberg and their children, Stephen, Michael, Kate, Erik and Josh. A ceremony to celebrate Pat's life was held November 27 at First Presbyterian Church, Brandon with her friend Rev. Dr. Dale Woods officiating. A private graveside interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Friends who wish to help carry out Pat's care for others may make a gift in her memory to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 0V9; Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, A Bed for You, A Bed for Me Campaign, 150 McTavish Ave. E., Brandon, MB R7A 2B3; or to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 339-12th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4M3.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2005