Patricia Jean Lawson-Gaw

It is with great sadness that the family of Patricia Jean Lawson-Gaw announce her passing on July 2nd at the age of 91. She passed away peacefully at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Saanichton, BC surrounded by her family. She is survived by her two sisters: Heather and Rosemary of Bangor, Northern Ireland; her 4 children Judy (Andre), and Tony of Whitehorse, Irwin (Carmen) of Dawson City, YT and Christine of Victoria, BC; five grandchildren: Camila, Georgia, Ethan, Emily and Sarah.

Patricia was born in Assam, India to parents Edward (of Northern Ireland) and Muriel (of Scotland). She lived in India for 7 years on a tea plantation managed by her father. In 1938 the family moved to Bangor, Northern Ireland where Patricia attended the Londonderry/Derry Grammar School and then to Bangor Collegiate School for Young Ladies. After high school, in 1949, she attended the Royal College of Nursing in Belfast and then to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children where she worked as a Registered Nurse. In 1952 she moved to Canada and worked at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. In 1954 she moved to Vancouver, BC where she married Brian Gaw, also from Bangor (deceased). Brian and Patricia moved to Port Moody where they raised their 4 children before moving to Campbell River, BC in 1972. Patricia returned to work in 1974 as a Nurse at the Campbell River General Hospital and in the summer of 1976, she moved to Brentwood Bay, BC (Central Saanich) and worked for 22 years at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Patricia made several trips north to the Yukon to visit her children and grandchildren. On one of these trips, she had an extended stay and worked at the Whitehorse General Hospital for a year.

She carried on many other endeavors during her retirement that kept her active, including being a member of the Presbyterian church in Sidney, BC and as a greeter at the Tourist Information Centre in Sidney. Patricia also volunteered with her dog(s) at PATS, Pacific Animal Therapy Society. Patricia was a very kind and loving mother and grandmother and a great friend to many. She also enjoyed Irish Pub Night and Music in the Park. She had a great sense of humour and was always ready for a good laugh, and especially loved to tell a good joke. She kept these many traits up to her last days.

In her later years, Nana loved doing crossword puzzles, eating licorice and scotch mints, watching TV and talking with friends and family by phone and in person. She also kept in touch with family in Northern Ireland and always remembered her Irish roots. She especially loved speaking with young children, she could never pass up the opportunity to stop and talk. She also had a love for animals and for many years enjoyed the company of Alice, Bosley, Beckett and Misty the cat.

A great many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Victoria General Hospital and special thanks to Doctor Erika Reiser, Tracey in Palliative Care and to all the staff at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for the amazing care and compassion you all showed our Mum during her stay.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PATS, a local animal shelter or to a local charity. A celebration of life and service will be held on Saturday September 10, 2022, at 1:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church in Sidney with a gathering to follow.