Peterson – Patricia (Pat) Peterson, 88, passed away at the Brooks Health Centre on June 15, 2015. She was surrounded by her loving family throughout the weeks of her final illness. Pat, the third of a family of five girls, was born October 16, 1926 near the Brooks Aqueduct where her father, Mike Dunne, worked for the CPR. Her mother was Jean (McAree) Dunne. When Pat was 10, the family moved to Tilley where Mike was employed by the newly-formed Eastern Irrigation District. Pat was a bright and eager student her whole life long. Her formal education took place in Brooks and Tilley. She and her sister Nan boarded at the Brooks Dormitory and attended the Brooks High School. Young love blossomed between her and the man she married, Woody Peterson. They settled on Woody’s family farm 4 miles north of Brooks where they raised their three sons and one daughter. Woody was a good farmer and Pat was noted for the produce of her bounteous garden. She was a dedicated homemaker and a devoted mother. Pat’s circle widened when she took a job in the Brooks Post Office. Her cheerful efficient manner is well remembered by the customers she served during the many years before she retired in 1989. She managed her job, her duties at home and her care of aging parents with unfailing good nature. Her ready smile was her most charming feature. Pat and Woody moved from the farm into Brooks in the late 1980s. They discovered an enthusiasm for travel. They very much enjoyed the bus trips that took them to various destinations in Canada and the United States in the company of interesting fellow travellers. Following Woody’s death in 1997, Pat became a tireless volunteer. The Brooks food bank and the nursing home benefitted from her dependable assistance. She was very deeply involved in raising funds for the Brooks Health Centre through hours of work for the Tuck Shop. When the health of friends began to fail, she was always there to help out. Knitting was one of Pat’s great pleasures but what she loved most was reading. Firmly planted in her community, she loved to explore the wider world from her armchair, through the pages of the books that were always near at hand. Pat was a patriotic Canadian with a keen lifelong interest in events that shape our country. She was equally avid about hockey. One of her favourite articles was a fleece blanket bearing the insignia of her team, the Chicago Blackhawks. Hers was a kind and generous nature, her legacy an example of goodness and love to be cherished by those she leaves behind. Pat was predeceased by her husband, Woody; her granddaughter, Jennifer Peterson; an infant son, Gary; her parents, Jean and Mike Dunne; an infant brother, Raymond; three sisters, Jessie Flanagan, Nan Kyle, and Sheila Taylor; her mother- and father-in-law, Clara and Seth Peterson; her sisters-in-law Lavaun Bullock and Merna Peterson and several brothers-in-law. Pat is survived by her daughter, Paula (Chad) Galbraith, of Duchess, and three sons: Ron (Lynne) of Lethbridge; Dennis (Valerie) of Chicago; and Terry (Irene) of Duchess. Her passing is mourned by her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Shauna (Doug) Henderson and Jamie and Ryan of Lethbridge; Todd (Roshni) Peterson and Keiran and Mira of Calgary; Julia Peterson of Sacramento; Jeanne (Bart) Vivian and Addy and Clara, Seth Peterson, Paige Peterson, and Brooke Peterson, all of Chicago; Susan (Rick) Vandermeer and Anna of Duchess; Jay (Jordan) Peterson and Elle of Edmonton; Jesse Peterson of Calgary; Cassie (Justin) Latrace of Brooks; and Woody Galbraith of Duchess. She leaves one sister, Renie Gross, of Edmonton; a sister-in-law, Beth Christensen, of Cardston; a brother-in-law, Floyd Peterson, of Medicine Hat; numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00 PM from Smith Memorial Chapel. Rev. Shaun Roth officiating. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Patricia, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either Brooks Public Library, Box 1149, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B9 or the Tuck Shop, c/o Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
