It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved Wife, Mom and Grandma, Trudy Lynn Patterson, passed away at the Brooks Health Centre on January 23rd, 2024, after a fiercely fought battle with cancer. Trudy’s story began on May 31st, 1952. Ralph and Jean Richards were the proud parents of their second daughter, Trudy Lynn. Trudy had many special memories about growing up on the farm east of Olds and family always played a huge part in her life. Trudy loved horses and loved to ride into her teen years. She took accordion lessons for seven years, was in Girls Club and was a cheerleader in Junior and Senior High. She loved reading and the running and jumping sports in track and field. She graduated from Olds High School in 1970 and did some upgrading at Olds College in the fall. While working at the Dairy Corner she met the love of her life and her future husband, Allan Patterson, an Ag Mech student at the college. Trudy and Allan were married on March 9th, 1974, and would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. They had a marriage that was admired by many and served as an example to their children and their spouses. They raised three daughters together, Trisha arrived in 1976, Krista in 1978 and Tera in 1980. Trudy was born to be a mom; she was a natural and loved everything about it. The relationship she had with each of her adult daughters was close, comforting and treasured. Trudy always said she was gifted the best sons. Her son-in-law Warren has been considered her son for 28 years, Ben for 27 and Luke for 3 and as much as she loved and appreciated them, it was absolutely mutual. If you thought she loved being a mom, being a grandma was the highlight of her life. Keagan and Madi arrived in 2003 and Jayda and Makenna in 2005. The love and connection between Trudy and these four were a joy to see. She was so proud of them and took every opportunity to spend time with them and greatly enjoyed watching them as they played basketball, volleyball, ringette, fastpitch or cheer. She wouldn’t miss a milestone if she could help it. After marriage, Trudy and Allan settled in Rolling Hills and Trudy worked as the school secretary for two years. They built their home on the Patterson farm in 1977, Trudy fulfilled all of her duties as a farm wife without hesitation. She hated the rattlesnakes that found their way into her yard and feared for her life as Allan drove too close to the edge of the hills at the river. She spent countless hours watering trees, riding the lawn mower and planting and caring for her garden and flower beds. In 2016 they purchased an acreage west of Brooks. Trudy became an active and valued community member in Rolling Hills spending countless hours volunteering as Brown Owl to an energetic group of Brownies, a Sunday school teacher at the United Church, an involved member in Community Club, the Ag Society and Parent Council. In 1995 Trudy started working in Brooks for SPEC – an organization that provided help for Social Services in whatever way a family needed. In 2000 she started a new job with the Healthy Start program helping first time moms on a weekly basis. She loved this work and made special, lasting connections. Trudy had a close relationship with her parents and siblings, and they traveled, celebrated milestones and spent many hours camping together over the years. She will be greatly missed by Terri and Sandy Loree, Debra Hoffmann and Dan Beaudry, Gary and Kathy Richards, Kelly and Sand Richards. She lost her long-time friend and brother-in-law Brian Hoffmann in 2004. Her in-laws quickly became her family, Dale and Lois Patterson, Carol and Milt Severtson, Greg and Mona Patterson, Jan and Rein Dyck, Judy and Ron Sereda, Cathy and Tim Anderson, Jackie and Dave Sereda, Kim and Stephen Anderson. She leaves a huge hole in the fabric of both the Richards and Patterson family. Trudy was the proud Auntie of 34 nieces and nephews and their spouses, 43 great nieces and nephews and 4 great greats! If we had the space, we would list each and every one! Family was important to Trudy, as were the strong and long-lasting friendships Trudy nurtured, she thought of her friends as family. We would like to thank and recognize the staff at the Brooks Hospital for their care and attention to Trudy and her family during the most difficult days we’ve ever had to face and to Cindy Young for her calm and caring nature as our palliative care nurse. The very first thing Dr. van der Linde said to her was, “You are a rich lady, Trudy. Rich in family and friends.” A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, from the Rolling Hills Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to PRHPCS (Prairie Rose Hospice Palliative Care Society) Bag 300 440 3rd St E Brooks, AB T1R 1B3 in Trudy’s memory.
Cremation entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free 866-362-4652
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