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PATRICIA ALMA GILLIGAN (PATTI)
Born: Oct 01, 1933
Date of Passing: Aug 29, 2021
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to Winnipeg Humane Society
PATRICIA ALMA GILLIGAN
October 1, 1933 - August 29, 2021
Born to a large Irish Catholic family, this beauty with the gift of the gab left Winnipeg in 1960 for California and then the Chicago area, where she and sister Moira Davis combined families, enjoying much hilarity for two years. She and husband Paul settled in South Bend, Indiana where she made a beautiful home and many lifelong friends. She was proud to be an active parishioner and a Progressive Arts sorority member.
Life changed with a return to Winnipeg, and a darkening of fortunes. Patti worked at the Winnipeg Free Press Classified department for some years where she used her excellent writing skills. She faced many broken bones and health problems, but she had stoic determination: "I am a survivor!"she would wryly observe. She delighted in her grand daughter and great grandchildren, and while still mobile enjoyed trips to Assiniboine Park - especially the zoo - or a simple family BBQ.
Although Patti suffered from mental health challenges for most of her adult life, which created grief for herself and loved ones, we were blessed during the last years to experience her gentler nature and many graces. She always loved animals and they loved her back. She inspired in her daughter an appreciation for beauty, literature, language, and the arts. She had a fine voice, and she and Paul made great harmonies on their many road trips. She had a great sense of humour to the end.
She is lovingly remembered by her brother Francis Gilligan of Calgary, daughter Karen Zoppa (Dean Zoppa), granddaughter Gabrielle Zoppa, great-grandchildren Olive and Axel Adams, all her beloved nieces and nephews, and dear Patrick in BC.
Thank you to the nursing staff of B2 at the Middlechurch Home for their good care.
A graveside ceremony is planned for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Avenue. Friends and family are welcome.
Donations may be made in Patricia's memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
PAX VOBISCUM
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2021
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I want to honor my Aunti Patti. I believe she had a sensitive and caring soul. My aunt loved music and had a great sense of fun (and drama too, like my mother, her only sister). One especially fond childhood memory is staying at a cabin on Lake Winnipeg with she and Karen. I recall the thrill of skinny dipping at night (washing my hair with sand), the exuberance of a dance contest to pop songs on the radio and the joy of storytelling with my Aunt and cousin. I remember her lovely singing, especially the Tony Bennett song "I Left My Heart San Francisco" (when I hear it, I think of her). She was generous with sharing her apartment when I visited as an adult. I shared an October birthday with her (our birthdays are one week apart), something she'd fondly remind me of ("we're fellow Libras, you know!). Over the years, she sent many letters and Christmas cards (I'm afraid I was a poor correspondent for her). I appreciated her sense of beauty and the 'finer things.' I will miss her spirit. - Posted by: Moira (Niece) on: Sep 15, 2021
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Sorry for your tragic loss, my prayers go out for her. She helped me a lot. - Posted by: denis (friend) on: Sep 14, 2021
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I want to honor my Aunti Patti's passing. She was a truly unique and sensitive soul. I enjoyed her zaniness and sense of fun; even the over-the-top drama could be hilarious (her sister, my mother, had that dramatic ability as well). Such fond memories of my childhood stay on Lake Winnipeg with she and Karen -- singing Neil Diamond songs from the radio, a dance contest at the cabin, skinny dipping in the lake! She combined expressive freedom with her parental supervision, making for a glorious summer! We shared a special sun sign bond (both are Libras), delighting in the fact that our birthdays are only a week apart. I respected my Aunt's sense of family loyalty -- staying close to her parents and brother Gerry, doing what she could to assist when needed. I appreciate the reminder that she lived briefly in California. I always associate her with the lovely song "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," which I heard her sing often. I recall wanting my hair styled as a pre-teen, so she did it but it was somewhat painful (she might have had to use those spiky plastic curlers that tangled in my hair, all that was available then). When I told her my head hurt, she said 'beauty must suffer' which made me mad I told her it was painful () - Posted by: Moira (Niece) on: Sep 11, 2021
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So sorry for this sudden loss. Sending hugs and deep condolences. - Posted by: Kathy Penner (Friend of Karen) on: Sep 04, 2021