JANE ELLIOTT (PATTERSON)

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JANE ELLIOTT (nee PATTERSON) June 18, 1916 - July 22, 2011 Surrounded by family, Mom died peacefully at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg after a short illness. Predeceased in 1983 by her wonderful husband, Bill, she is survived by her three daughters: Betty Zwanzig (Herman) and their children Ann and John; Judy Rigby (Mark) and their children Jane Macdonald (Neil), Mark (Michelle), and Christine Rigby (Rustin Smith); Nancy Young (Dave) and their children Sarah Finlayson (Gordon), Peter (Johanne), and Kate Thompson (Justin); and her son, Bill (Linda Bannatyne) and his children Bill (Meggin) and Jonathan. Nanny absolutely adored and delighted her 15 great-grandchildren: Sebastian Zwanzig; Jackson and Grace Macdonald; Henry, Matthew, and Julia Rigby; Will and Kate Smith; Lucy and Rose Finlayson; Riley and Claire Young; Charlie and Hugo Thompson; and Sophie Elliott. Born in Galt, Ontario, Mom was imbued with her love of family and great sense humour by her parents, John and Evelyn (nee Perry) and two siblings John and Betty. She moved to Winnipeg in 1939 after graduating from the University of Toronto, and soon met the love of her life on a blind date picnic arranged by Dad's medical college friend and duck hunting partner, Gordon Fahrni. After waiting in Peggy's Cove for the war to end and her Bill to return from the Navy, they built their home on the Assiniboine River in St. James where she lived, loved, and laughed until the end. She nurtured an incredibly happy home, that in later years became the fulcrum for an expanding family...a place where all life's joys and tribulations were always embraced unconditionally. All who were fortunate enough to know her would unfailingly remark on her great sense of humour and genuine concern with their lives. Mom would always have a ready smile and conversation for friends and strangers alike. Outside of family, she loved her times volunteering with the Junior League and the White Cross Guild, her special friends at St. James United Church, golfing and bridge at St. Charles Country Club, the exercise gang at Elderobics', her barge tours with University of Toronto friends along the canals of France, Holland and England; and from a chair at the bottom of her front steps, watching her street inevitably transform and renew through the generations. Mom loved to read, and admired those who could write with impact and economy. One of her favourite quotes is particularly fitting at this time: They are not dead who live in lives they leave behind. In those whom they have blessed, they live a life again. The entire extended family is celebrating Mom's life privately with much love, sadness and laughter. Rest assured, we deeply appreciate your condolences and remembrances of this great lady. In lieu of flowers, Mom would encourage you to share a smile and extra hug with your loved ones.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2011