Patricia Elizabeth McLean

In the early hours of Friday, February 10th, Patricia Elizabeth McLean (Winter) passed away at the age of 86. She leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Brian McLean; daughters: Patricia, Gayle, Jeanette, and Gillian; grandchildren: Madison, Maxwell, Brian, Avery, Georgia, Quinn, and Ryan; and great-grandson Clark.

Born on August 17, 1936, in Vancouver to parents James Fletcher and Margaret Gean (Denison), Patricia was the youngest of three girls (sisters Margaret and Anne).

Growing up, Pat was a decorated competitive swimmer and went on to be a swim instructor at only twelve years of age and, later, a lifeguard. Some of her fondest childhood memories include spending time in the water, both competitively and for leisure, and growing up in Kitsilano with her best friend, Billie Sproule.

Pat would later move to North Vancouver, where she fell in love with the “boy next door”, Brian McLean. Both studying to be teachers at UBC, their romance began as they carpooled daily to class.

She was a skilled prop mistress for both North Shore Light Opera Society (NSLOS) and Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). Her skills, props, and costumes helped her kids don the most creative, detailed and envied costumes for Halloween. She and Brian wore some memorable costumes too, such as Tinkerbell and Peter Pan — and Pat wasn’t Tinkerbell!

Throughout her life, Pat would take on many other roles: mother, wife, sister, teacher in Gibsons, switchboard operator (where she would even start a union), auntie, crossing guard, softball coach, eBay aficionado (@pocogranny) and more.

Pat was a skilled artist, maker, gardener, and collector. Over the years, she would master the art of miniature creation, and doll-house furnishing. As she was always pursuing a new creative venture, she would continue to sew, knit, and crochet a wide variety of projects, and build her impressive collections of Barbies, antiques, garden fairies and gnomes.

Known (and loved) for her dirty stories, silly songs, and Nanaimo bars, Pat was a beloved and cherished granny. Her grandchildren fondly remember the weekly Sunday dinners, drawing lessons, tea parties, birthday shopping sprees, garage sale-ing expeditions (with daughter Patricia or husband Brian), her extensive Disney movie collection, and most importantly, the time she spent just being with them over the span of their lives. We have it on good authority that she was even excitedly brought to school as “show and tell” a time or two.

Pat was passionately and proudly invested in her family’s history (Denison Family of Toronto). She will be laid to rest in the family cemetery, St. John’s on the Humber, in Toronto. Condolences and memories can be sent to First Memorial Funeral Services Burkeview Chapel at www.dignitymemorial.com. Though there will not be a service at her request, we know that she would be tickled if you thought of her the next time you heard a dirty joke.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialportcoquitlam.com for the McLean family.