Obituary of Patricia Kaye Lembke
Patricia, late of Regina passed peacefully on the evening of December 25, 2017 at 62 years of age at the Palliative Care Unit of the Pasqua Hospital. Special thanks to the incredible caring staff at the PCU. Many thanks also to Drs. Leong and Iqbal at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic and particularly to our family physician Dr. W. Llewellyn-Williams and his assistant Sharon.
Patty was predeceased by her parents Dick and Nancy Meeker. Patty is survived by Ted, her husband of thirty-seven years, daughters Shelley, Christine and Sarah, honorary fourth daughter Cheryl Jackson, sisters Pam (Danny), Shelley (Mike) and Shannon (Eric) and god-grandchildren Michael and Matthew (Christine Watson and Barry Crowe); also by several unofficial children Patty took in over the years, including Paul Fykes .
Patty was born in Deep River Ontario on June 8, 1955, the eldest of four daughters. Dick worked for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited which resulted in his transfer to Pinawa Manitoba, AECL research facility in 1964.
Patty attended elementary and high school in Pinawa. As a teenager she worked at her uncle Howie Meeker’s hockey schools. Lifelong friendships were formed with Jolyne Moffatt and Debbie Koppejan.
She went on to graduate with her librarian diploma from Red River Community College in Winnipeg. Patty worked as the children’s librarian in Renfrew, Ontario initially and later become the librarian in Churchill, Manitoba where she was responsible for the town, school and Parks Canada research libraries from 1978-1980. In Churchill she met the love of her life, Ted and married soon after. Eldest daughter Shelley was born in Winnipeg during this Churchill time.
The family moved to Winnipeg in 1981 where Ted did his radiology residency training and Patty worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Second daughter Christine was born in Winnipeg. Winnipeg neighbours Shirley and Gerry Lozinski remain friends.
In 1986 employment opportunity for Ted led the family to Regina. Sarah was born soon after arrival. Patty pursued further education at the University of Regina. In 1995 she earned a B.A. (Hons.) in psychology, winning the President’s Medal, awarded for academic achievement and leadership. Subsequently she entered the master’s program in Educational Psychology .In 1992 Patty was a founding member of the Regina Therapeutic Riding Association along with her friend Heidi Martin.
Patty’s hope had been to live in a small town near a large centre and Lumsden proved to be the perfect place. The Lembke’s moved from Regina in 1992. In Lumsden, Patty took part in hockey, precision skating and dragon boat racing. She was a speech therapy volunteer at Lumsden Elementary School, did canvassing for several charities and had great fun waitressing at her good friend Maudy Davis’ restaurant. She became a member of the local Optimist Club branch, taking major roles in the annual lobster supper and Christmas hamper program. She slung beer for the Optimists at Rider games, Craven, and the Rolling Stones concert. Patty formed lasting friendships with Optimists Jane Cogger and Richard Crooks. The extensive Skidmore family of Lumsden has been one of her passions over the years.
Patty had a strong spiritual side and found her fulfilling niche with the Society of Friends (Quakers). While in Lumsden, Patty was first in contact with Alison Lohans of the Regina Allowed Meeting, embarking on a wonderful life experience. Patty was a regular attendee at Canadian Yearly Meeting and Western Half-Yearly Meeting, and served on committees including Representative Meeting, Nominations Committee and Contributions Committee.
Patty loved fiercely. She had definite opinions and if you sought her views you needed to be prepared for an honest response. Patty was a force to be reckoned with when there was a cause that needed her support. She loved stray people and animals, cooking, reading, politics, gardening, dancing and rockin’ blues.
There will be a small private funeral at Speers Funeral Chapel for family and invited guests conducted by dear Friends Laurel Beyer and Dale Dewar in January. Patty loved the hot weather however; a larger celebration of life will be held in the summer.
In lieu of flowers those so wishing may make memorial donations in Patty's name to the Regina, Humane Society, Box 3143 Stn. Main, Regina, SK, S4P 3G7.
