Patricia Jean Jensen

We are heartsick to announce that Patti Jensen passed away unexpectedly on March 18, 2022, in Victoria, B.C. Patti had just recently moved back to Vancouver Island with her partner, Sheila Spence, after two decades in Winnipeg. The move westward was a long-held dream of Patti’s, full of possibility.

Born to a teenaged mother, Patti spent her first eight years in North Battleford, SK., raised by her Granny, with aunts and uncles becoming adoring older sisters and brothers. It was here that Patti learned her lifelong values – kindness, humour, unqualified generosity and her love of all animals.

At the age of eight, Patti moved to Winnipeg, MB. She attended school in St. James, Bannatyne School and Silver Heights Collegiate. Patti maintained life-long friends from these days. A self-made woman, Patti put herself though university while working as the first woman bartender at the Olde Spaghetti Factory. She always said that it took her twice as long. She graduated with Honours. Patti was determined and she could prevail.

Patti was a natural athlete. As a child, she mastered swimming and diving. She learned to ride horses with skill and taught herself how to skate as an adult. After hours and hours of repetition and practice, Patti could hydroblade on hockey skates, a remarkable feat. Seasoned hockey players would stop at the boards to watch.

Patti was a gardener. She could grow almost any plant, and seeds gifted to Patti from world travels flourished. Patti’s Winnipeg home was a tropical paradise in the dead of Winnipeg winters.

Patti was a nurturer. She adopted and rescued all manor of creatures who would thrive in her care. Her favorite dog breed, the Shih Tzu, became her constant companion throughout her adult life. Patti’s Shih Tzus were not pampered lap dogs. They ran beside horses with her and walked the beaches and the Boreal Forest trails with her. Patti often described them as ‘farm Shih Tzus’.

A self-declared introvert, Patti held a small number of people close. Her intimate friendships ran deep and often spanned decades. When you were Patti’s chosen family she was there for you, quietly, behind the scenes, attracting no attention and taking no credit. Patti’s inner circle included past partners, grade-school friends, former colleagues and animal advocates.

So much could be said about Patti’s gentle soul. She was loved. She will be missed.

A celebration of Patti’s life will take place at a later date. Details will be forthcoming.