Patricia (Patsy to her husband and children) was born on St. Patrick’s Day 1925 to Georgina and Jean-Baptiste Longchamp in St. Paul Alberta. She was raised on the family homestead about five miles from St. Paul. She was the eldest of five – her four sisters Adele (van Brabant), Marie (Poburan), Suzanne (Slevinsky) and her brother Robert Longchamp.
Patricia was raised in a francophone family in a francophone community. French was a language she always loved to speak.
The early years on the farm were not easy as there were few services and during the depression the times were difficult but the family worked together and the farm grew.
In the late 1940’s Patricia came to Vancouver to work for the summer but returned the following year. She met her future husband, Peter Lytwyn, at a dance. They married shortly after and were married for over 50 years.
Patricia and Peter had three children – the twins, Jean and Joan, followed by their son, Andrew.
Patricia and Peter were devoted to their children and although there was never a lot of extra money in the household always ensured their children thrived.
Patricia was always busy around the house with the three children and with a boarder or two in the home. She loved to sew, to knit and to cook. The kitchen was often filled with the smells of cooking meat, baking and of laundry freshly taken off the clothes line.
Patricia was active in her Catholic Parish, Paroisse Saint-Sacrement and their French senior’s group, the Club d’Or.
When the children had grown and left home, Patricia and Peter spent the early years of Peter’s retirement travelling – bus trips to Europe and cruises including one through the Panama Canal. Patricia’s favourite spot was St. Petersburg and she often thought about returning.
The last years of her life were spend at Purdy Pavillion and many thanks go to the staff who cared for her with kindness.
She is survived by her daughters Jean (whose husband Ian Pond passed away in 2019); Joan and her husband Bruce Crawford; her son Andrew; her grandson, Rowan Crawford: her sister Suzanne, her brother, Robert and many nephews and nieces.
She is predeceased by many of her friends and family including her husband, Peter, and two of her sisters, Adele van Brabant and Marie Poburan.
A Graveside Service for Patricia will be held Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3M1.
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