Richards Patterson – Leila Vivian Richards Patterson of Rolling Hills passed away in Brooks following a battle with cancer on December 4th, 2008 at the age of 84 years. “I have gone to a city where the roses never fade”. (unknown) Leila was born on November 28th, 1924 on a farm near Scotsguard, Saskatchewan to courageous homesteaders Agnes (nee’ Wheeler) and Joseph Tjomsland. She was their second child, as a son Lloyd had been born the year before. Leila grew up on the farm, attending school in the area until she had to go away to complete high school, graduating from Camrose Lutheran College. This was followed by Teachers’ College at Moose Jaw and teaching at four different schools. At the last near Orkney, Saskatchewan she met and married Harry Richards. Together they were part of a family farm and business and raised a family. They left Orkney in 1980 and moved to Rolling Hills, to continue farming until Harry’s death in 1990. A few favorite past times were travel, being with family and friends, working on genealogy, playing bridge and growing flowers in her yard. She married Dale Patterson in 1997 and they spent several happy years together. During her illness, as during her life, she showed great strength. She continued to be an inspiration to all in her determination, even at the worst of times putting God first. Always putting her best face forward and to bless everyone with her beautiful smile which gave her such a special ‘glow’. With each passing year she grew stronger in her ability to allow others to grow without giving any ‘constructive criticism’. Looking back it appears that her belief was that a verbal wound is as bad as a physical one and will leave the same scar. She avoided inflicting any scars and with that made everyone feel truly loved and worthy and in return she was loved by so many through the years. Leila was predeceased by her brother Lloyd in 1928; daughter Gayle (aged 6 mos) in 1948, twin daughters at birth in 1954, her father in 1975, her mother in 1981, her first husband Henry (Harry) Richards in 1990, her brother Glenn in 2002 and her second husband Dale Patterson in March of this year. She is survived by her daughter Glennis (Tom) Sigurdson of Rolling Hills; their family, grandson Joel (Sheila) and their sons Aidan and Jordan, grandson Jeff (Vanessa) and their daughter Hailey; her son Curtis (Karen) Richards of Mountain Home, Arkansas and their family, grandson Brian (Tanya) and children Rayden and Easton and granddaughter Angela (Brad) Sumter and their son Owen of Colorado Springs, Co.; sisters Dorothy Thompson Fletcher (Roy) of Young Sask and Lois Straub Cady (Earl) of Cochrane, AB; sisters-in law Irene Brochu (Glen Tjomsland), Gwen Richards Lacey, Adrienne Richards Hutton, Jacqueline Richards, Arlene Lester and Cal (Jeanette) Patterson, plus the large family she happily inherited when she married Dale and by so many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we are far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart”. Excerpt from poem by David Romano. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 12th at 2:00 P.M. from the Rolling Hills Community Centre Rev. Arij Langstraat officiating. Interment to follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery. In memory of Leila, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either Rolling Hills United Church Memorial Fund, Rolling Hills, Alberta T0J 2S0, or Medicine Hat Cancer Care Centre, 666-5th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4H6. or a charity of your choice. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 403 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362 4652.
