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Patricia ("Pat") Dawn Wheeler (Rothwell)
December 11, 1946 - July 28, 2021
Tribute
Patricia Dawn Wheeler (Rothwell) was born on Dec, 11, 1946 at the St. Eugene Hospital in Cranbrook and passed away on July 28, 2021 after a short illness with COPD.
This is her story. . .
I grew up on the family farm in the Mayook Valley (near Wardner) and was raised by parents, Mac and Thelma Rothwell and Grandparents, William & Edith Rothwell. My brother Ron was 15 months older. We lived with our grandparents in the beautiful log home overlooking Ha Ha Lake until we moved “around the corner” to our own home four or five years later. Sister, Charlene completed our family when I was 5 ½.
Our livelihood consisted of our Hereford cows, haying, a large garden and Christmas trees. We would sell our trees and cattle in the fall and that money had to maintain us for the next year. It was a tough but good life.
After school in Wardner and Cranbrook, I started working for B. C. Telephone as an operator on Aug. 2, 1965. Getting a paycheque every two weeks and having fun doing it was so much better than school! Early on in my career I met the love of my life, Barry Wheeler, and we married on May 24, 1969. Together we enjoyed Jaycees, stock car racing, snowmobiling, travelling, Kootenay Ice hockey and anytime spent with nephews Ken & Randy. Later on I became a happy cheerleader to my great nephews Chase and Tripp and great niece Kinley for hockey, soccer, Bandelaro car racing, dance and school activities. My career included several clerical jobs and ended driving a 5 ton supply truck around the East Kootenays. That 38 years held many good memories.
I was fortunate to have lived my whole life in Cranbrook looking out on our beautiful Fisher Peak and Steeples Range.
Barry died in 2007 and both Mom and Dad in 2000. I am survived by my brother, Ron and sister-in-law Maureen and my nephew Ken of Vancouver, his children Logan and Shannon and their mother Michelle of Portland, Oregon; my sister, Charlene of Cranbrook. (Her partner, Bruce died in 2007 also); nephew Randy with his children Chase (who had given me my favourite nickname Apa when he was about one), Tripp and Kinley and their mother Courtney of Cranbrook. Also surviving me are brothers -in-law Lorne and wife Pat of Toronto and Ray Wheeler of Victoria.
There will be a celebration of life for Pat, on Friday August 13, 2021, at the Eagles Hall, 711 Kootenay St North, Cranbrook from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. No flowers please. If you care to make a donation to the East Kootenay SPCA. http//spca.bc.ca/locations/east-kootenay/ (Box 2, Cranbrook, B. C. V1C 2N1) or East Kootenay Hospital Foundation 13 -24 Ave. N., Cranbrook, B. C. V1C 3H9 it would be appreciated.
Condolences
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From: Mark Memorial Funeral Services
Mark Memorial Funeral Services Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Kay Amundson
Relation: Friend of past
So sad to lose a great lady. Many memories back in stock car days. Rest in Happiness with Barry
From: Amy and staff at Tamarack Medical Group
Relation: Friend and patient of clinic
You are in our thoughts during this difficult time. Pat will be missed.
From: Nancy
Relation: friend and neighbor
Pat was our neighbor, our friend, the person who looked out for our neighborhood and truly cared about her neighbors. Pat will be missed by our little end of the street, Cali will miss her visits, Rowan will miss saying ‘Hi’ to Pat’s house! Pat you will be missed by us all but I am happy that you are up there looking out for all of us! We will all miss you. Thanks for being a wonderful neighbor & friend….xoxo
From: Lynn Hughes
Relation: Long time family friends
We’ll miss you Aunty Pat…give Sammy a big hug for us. Lynn and Jason
From: Dave and Shirley Lynch
Relation: Snowmobiling and mutual friends.
Condolences to the family. Pat was a lovely lady. She always had a smile for you.
From: Sharron Billey
Relation: Friend
I met Pat while in the very important group of caring individuals working with the EK Kidney Foundation. Beautiful lady inside and out. RIP dear Pat. So very sorry for your friends and families
From: Vic Byrom
Relation: Friends who met in 1989
Our deepest condolences to Pat’s family.
Vic and I were so fortunate to spend two years in Cranbrook and with Pat and Barry just a 1/2 block away, we became fast friends. Pat quickly became Auntie Pat to our young son Travis–Pat would take Travis to preschool, Pat took him to his very first dental appointment! Uncle Barry would take Travis to McDonalds and let him shift the gears in his truck! Our weekends were spent with fancy Sunday breakfasts while we cheered on our favourite car racers.
We have beautiful memories of Pat, Barry and our time together.
Susan & Vic Byrom
From: Ev Sternig
Relation: Friend
Pat was such a caring and compassionate lady, she cared for and treated her Meals on Wheels recipients as if they were her mom and dad. Alice & I will miss our hockey buddy. So sorry Char and all your family, I know you’ll miss her.
From: Julie or Bruce
Relation: friend
Pat was such an amazing lady. Bruce and I were so fortunate to have known both her and Barry since approx. 1980. Bruce met Barry approx. 1980 through snowmobiling, and Pat not long after. I met the both of them through Bruce approx. 1982 after we were married. 40+ years! Amazing.
You would think after Barry’s passing we would lose contact somewhat, (especially Bruce) but he continued to see Pat at minimum once a month, and if he didn’t see her, he would phone.
We were so lucking to have known Pat, as with all the other kids, our kids also called her Auntie Pat.
Bruce and I offer our sincerest condolences to the Rothwell and Wheeler families. She will be truly missed but we take solace in the fact that she is with her love Barry Big Time, and they are right in the race this time crossing the finish line in 1st place.
Bruce and Julie Rota
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
Date & Time:
August 13, 2021
Beginning at 1:30pm
Location:
Eagles Hall
711 Kootenay Street North
Cranbrook, BC Canada
711 Kootenay Street North
Cranbrook, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
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MJ’s Floral Boutique
24 10th Avenue South
Cranbrook BC V1C 2M8
250.526.5689
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