Obituary of Patti Grassick

GRASSICK, Dr. Patricia (nee McTaggart)

December 15, 1951 – March 14, 2020

Not many Dentists can expect their patients to run across the street to give them a hug but for Patti, in Lumsden, that was a common occurrence.

Patti was born to John “Jack” and Stella McTaggart in Regina, SK. She graduated from Campbell Collegiate in 1970. After training as a dental assistant, therapist and hygienist, then working in private practices and with the Saskatchewan Dental Plan, she taught dental auxiliaries at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technologies until she applied for admission to the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Ernie Ambrose, Dean of Dentistry at the time, knew and recognized Patti’s exceptional abilities and potential and she became the first auxiliary to be admitted, without a preliminary degree, to the college, graduating in 1990.

Patti, practiced in Regina before establishing Cottonwood Dental Clinic in Lumsden with Dr. Lynne Kozicki-Belyk prior to Dr. Kozicki-Belyk starting her own practice in Regina. Patti mentored foreign born dentists for qualification in Canada, dental students every summer, recent graduates, colleagues and supervised dental students in remote Northern Saskatchewan communities. She loved working in the North, an area she came to love almost as much as her prairie home. 

She was very active in the dental professional organizations where her keen intellect, work ethic and commitment to the highest ethics of her profession led to admiration from her colleagues and senior positions in those associations. Patti served as the first female President and the first female Registrar of the Saskatchewan College of Dental Surgeons. She was a member of the Commission on Dental Accreditation for Canada. She was a Pierre Fauchard Fellow and at the time of her passing was the Past President of the Canadian Chapter of the International College of Dentistry. Patti also served on the Lumsden Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to her many career achievements, Patti was a top flight dancer, riotously funny and well read. She turned heads with her beautiful voice when she sang in church. Patti cared deeply for Canada’s unspoiled, wild places. She was proud to arrange an easement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) which will protect in perpetuity the natural prairie of her pasture near Last Mountain Lake.

Every dog and most horses she met were utterly devoted to her along with her pet West Highland Cattle.

Patti is survived her husband George; daughter, Jennifer Grassick (Radford Taylor), granddaughter, Chelsey Bergeron; daughter, Amanda Kletzel (Rob), and granddaughters, Layla and Juliana; son John “Jack” (Rachel) Grassick and granddaughters, MaKenna and Piper; two loving and devoted stepchildren, Frankie-Lou (Bruce) Nelligan and grandchildren Jasper, Paris and Angus; and Jesse-James Christian Grassick (Kathy Lasby) and grandson Austin.  Patti was joyfully reunited a few years ago with her daughter Taralyn Scott (Craig), whom she had to give up at birth. She is also survived by sisters, Joanne McTaggart (Ben Daku) and Lori McTaggart. Patti was predeceased by her parents; her brother David; father-in-law and ardent admirer Greg Grassick; and her best pal and her partner in derring do - Bonnie Grassick. Many nieces and nephews will sorely miss their Auntie Patti along with a legion of friends, patients, students and colleagues.

She was the best partner, best mom, best Nana, best Angel and best pal anyone could ask for and will always be in our hearts.

Patti, battled with, survived, suffered from and co-existed with cancer for many years. Her family offer their deepest thanks to Dr. Mohammed Khan and all the devoted doctors, nurses, OT’s, dieticians and other staff at the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic and Ward 3B at the Regina Pasqua Hospital. The family is also very grateful for the compassionate care of Dr. Roth, Dr. Johnson, their other colleagues, the wonderful nursing staff and support staff in the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua who so devotedly eased her final convalescence and passage.

Patti was also very happy to be supported by all the Palliative Home Care Staff who with their competence, devotion and good humour enabled her to be at home as long as possible.

Later in the spring or summer when we can all freely assemble again as friends, a celebration of life for an extraordinary woman and her many accomplishments will be held in Lumsden.

Patti’s personal experience with cancer convinced her of the need for a designated emergency facility for cancer patients aligned with the Allan Blair Clinic. Memorial donations to a fund to bring about this facility would be a great legacy to her. Family and friends who wish to donate to this cause, may do so through the RBC branch in Lumsden, SK. Donations may also be made to NCC http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-you-can-do/donate/

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com

 A public outdoor memorial gathering to honour and celebrate the life of Patti Grassick, will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Lions Park in Lumsden, SK.