Patricia Margaret George passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Hull, Que.
She was born Sept. 17, 1946 in Fort Frances, Ont. to the late Edward and Agnes (Calder) George.
On Dec. 5, 1971, she welcomed her only child, Christopher John Robert, into the world.
Pat graduated from Fort Frances High School and worked until her retirement. She had a passion for her work—she just loved it and all of the people she worked with.
In the 1970s, Pat was elected as secretary-treasurer for the Native Council of Canada (NCC) twice and helped organize the Ontario Métis and Non-Status Indians (OMNSIA).
She worked beside Louis (Smokey) Bruyere, Tony Belcourt, and Harry Daniels, and was a staunch defender for the Métis rights and helped ensure the Métis were in included in the Constitution Act of 1982.
When the Métis Nation of Ontario started, Pat gave critical support and helped her family get involved. She also worked at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada until her retirement.
She put on many workshops with Judy throughout Canada’s aboriginal communities. She travelled to the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, just to mention a few.
Her peers and co-workers remember Pat as a wonderful, kind-hearted, enthusiastic, supportive, motivated, funny, positive, tireless defender and just a great friend to all whom she worked with.
Pat received many awards and met many people during her years with the federal government. One of her favourite people to meet was Pierre Elliot Trudeau, whom she was fortunate enough to meet on a few occasions.
She always treasured her pictures she had taken with him.
Pat also had another passion: her family. She loved them all so much. Chris was the light of her life, as were her grandchildren. She loved them so much and did so much for them.
When Pat would come home for visits, she would spend her time with Chris and his family, and her mom and brothers and sister and their families. She loved them all so much and they have many fun and special memories of her.
Pat is surived by her son, Christopher, and his wife, Dana; grandchildren, Brayden and Jocelyn George and Dylan Gladu; and great-granddaughter, Arielle Andrushuk.
She also is survived by her sister, Frances Nelson and brothers, Joe, John, Wayne, and Jim George, and their families, whom she loved so much; special friends, Robert Pink and his daughter, Lori, and her family; and numerous friends and neighbours she loved to spend time with.
Pat was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Agnes George; brothers, Robert and Herbert; sisters, Emma, Hannah, and Louise; sister-in-law, Jennie; brother-in-law, Hank Nelson; and her boyfriend, Keith Smith.
A private prayer service was offered Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015 by Fr. Lomer J. Rooney, and a memorial service was held Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at the Racine, Robert and Gauthier Beauchamp Funeral Home in Alymer, Que.
A mass to celebrate Pat’s life will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Couchiching First Nation, with Fr. Victor De Gagné officiating.
Online condolences may offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Because my Mom loved children and Christmas so much, in lieu of flowers, please “Adopt an Angel.” Trees are available at The Bargain Shop, Walmart, and Taggs Source for Sports in Fort Frances and Tompkins Hardware in Emo.
I will remember you
I will remember you,
when the birds sing their songs
from the branches of budding leaves.
And when ripened berries
Send their soothing fragrances,
in the soft and gentle breeze.
I will remember you,
when the trees of the rolling hills
hold colours of orange, red, and yellow.
And when Mother Earth sleeps,
under the white and crystal layers
of the deep and sparkling snow.
I will remember you,
For when you extended your caring hand,
I was given hope.
