HUMPHREYS – PATRICIA ROSE HUMPHREYS was born in Calgary on September 29, 1944 and was adopted by Clara and Alex Johnson. When Pat was a young girl her father died in a drowning accident. Her mother Clara married Charles Neil James McKay and before Charlie passed away he set in motion to adopt Pat and she received the confirmation of the adoption a few days after his passing. She was very close to him and was so pleased that he officially adopted her. She was also pre-deceased by her mother Clara, her brother Eugene (Bud) Johnson and her grandson Brad Burbank.
Pat married Don Firth in 1963 and they had four children; Robin, Gary, Karen and Craig. Pat and Don separated and went their separate ways in 1975.
In 1986 Pat met and married Don Humphreys and they enjoyed 36 wonderful years together. Pat is survived by her loving husband Don; her daughter Robin (Dan) Burbank and their children; Brandi, Brett, Ashley, Mark, Brad, Naomi and Hannah; her son Gary Firth, daughter Karen Cox and son Craig Firth and his children Nigel and Arron. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren.
Pat taught at Brooks Campus and Medicine Hat College, first as an instructor for 11 years, then five years as the Manager of the Brooks Campus and finally back to teaching for another 8 years, before she retired. She taught in the business department and the office technology area. She loved to learn and spent many weeks taking summer courses throughout her long career. Some of the places included the University of Calgary, Oklahoma and Indiana. Pat was a very dedicated teacher and an excellent manager at the College. She was passionate about what she did and always wanted what was best for the Brooks Campus. Her work ethic was amazing which was evident when, as a single mother, she earned her Bachelor of Education Degree. As well, she earned her Masters Degree in Business.
She enjoyed lively discussions about politics as well as holidays spent camping and fishing with Don and the family. She was a voracious reader of widely varying genres. Pat was a great cook and she loved her beautiful yard and could talk at length about the many trees, plants and flowers that added such joy to her life. Pat and Don travelled a lot and had visited many far away places, including China and the British Isles. They also had many relaxing trips to Mexico. Pat was game for anything. She and Don went skydiving with friends and upon her retirement some of the College retirees formed a group called the “Gasbags”. This group had lunches, coffee dates, Christmas Parties and travels around Southern Alberta to visit many historic sites. Her grandchildren gave her a lot of joy, but time spent with the great grandchildren was fantastic. Pat lived a very full life and touched all those around her. She will be greatly missed.
A Private Funeral Service was held on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
To view a recording of the Service, please visit the Salmon and Sons website.
A Green Burial was held at the Royal View Cemetery in Lethbridge.
To send a condolence, please visit
www.salmonandsons.ca
