PATRICIA HELEN STRUAN JONES (ROBERTSON)

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PATRICIA HELEN STRUAN JONES (nee ROBERTSON) It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Helen Struan Jones (née Robertson) peacefully in the early morning of June 2, 2007 at Riverview Health Centre, after a courageous battle with cancer, with her loving family at her side. Pat is survived by Rees, her loving husband of 37 years; her wonderful children, Stefanie (Niall), Jeremy and Cortney; brothers, David (Birgitte) and Fred (Eleanora); brother-in-law Rick Jones (Mary); sisters-in-law, Leslie Adams (Bill) and Ronalee Bamendine, and many great-nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Dorothy Robertson of Salt Spring Island, BC. Pat was born on September 6, 1946, in Vancouver, BC. Her early years were spent in Deep River, ON, where her father worked for A.E.C.L. The family then moved around to Elmhurst, IL, back to Deep River, and eventually landing in Pinawa, MB, which was where her family lived when she met Rees. Rees and Pat met on April 5, 1969, at Brian and Valerie English's wedding in Brandon, MB, just after Pat had graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and was working as a public health nurse. It only took an hour for Rees to know that she was the woman that he was going to marry. It took Pat a little longer to come to the same realization, but after a week, they were inseparable. They were married on May 30, 1970. With the pending arrival of Stefanie, Pat became a stay at home mom for their three children. Once the kids were in school, Pat started a career in the business world. She excelled in different positions with Richardson Greenshields, Inland Trust, and the Bank of Montreal. In the mid 1990s, she began a career as a pharmacy sales representative with Schering Canada. This was a very challenging position, but she enjoyed the freedom and the flexibility of the job and proved to be a very adept salesperson. All the same, she happily retired in September 2004. Pat excelled in everything she did: in her careers, her voluntary organizations, and on the many political campaigns that she worked for. She made friends so easily; her million dollar smile would light up any room. Pat was loved, admired and respected by so many people. What was not to like...pretty as a picture, smart, intelligent, and athletic, with a wonderful sense of humour and an exceptionally warm and caring heart. She was also incredibly modest, rarely, if ever, taking any personal credit for her many outstanding accomplishments and achievements. Pat's family has a lifetime of nothing but wonderful memories of life with her, highlighted by the annual family vacation to Salt Spring Island, BC, Pat's favourite place in the world. Her greatest legacy and her greatest joy, however, are her children; there was nothing more important to her throughout her life. Pat was incredibly supportive of each of them in so many ways, and they are forever grateful for her unwavering love and support. Pat's crowning achievement in life is in evidence in these exceptionally wonderful people. They love her deeply and did their best to make her last year as comfortable and as full of joy as possible. It goes without saying that the last year was extremely difficult for Pat. There are so many friends and family to thank for helping Pat and family through this time. The cards, letters, emails, flowers, meals, visits, and hopes and prayers all gave her comfort, recognizing how much she was loved. There are so many people to thank for their love of Pat: lifelong friends Hope Smith and Valerie English, Kathy Lines, Kerry Kane, Ruth Smith, Judi Broeska, the entire Penthouse group, her nursing friends, cousin Sue Hicks, special neighbour Lorna Ashton, and all other friends who were kind enough to reach out to Pat when she needed extra love and support. We also acknowledge the compassionate care of Drs. Navaratnam and Daeninck of CancerCare, and the kind staff at Riverview. Pat's life, all too short, was one of style, class, and grace, and that is how she handled her illness. We have all been richly rewarded for having known and loved Pat. She will live in our hearts forever. A memorial service to honour Pat's life will be held on Thursday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Mary's Road United Church, 613 St. Mary's Road. Flowers are gratefully declined but contributions to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, or the United Way of Winnipeg, 5 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 2T4, would be appreciated. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E. J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 05, 2007