A proud and loving mother to 5 children 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Pat left us on September 7, 2023, after battling dementia for years.
Pat was born in Ruislip, England in 1932 and attended Hendon County Grammar School from 1943 to 1950, where she excelled in track and field and spent time in Holland, Germany, and Switzerland on exchange programs.
Pat was a member of the Middlesex Ladies Athletic Club, where she specialized in the 100m dash, 80m hurdles, 200m and 400m, long jump, and high jump. She competed in the Middlesex County meet at White City Stadium in 1947 and 1948 representing her school and the town of Hendon alongside her lifelong friend Joanne Foskett (Connell).
One of her favourite experiences was attending the 1948 Olympics in London where she saw her favorite athlete, Fanny Blankers-Koen, who won the 80m hurdles, the 100m and 200m dashes.
Pat emigrated to Canada in 1955 with her other life-long friend Joyce Paisieres (Shea) and took up residence in Toronto, soon getting a job as a teller for the Royal Bank.
Despite growing up 35 miles from each other in England, it took a garden party in St. George, Ontario to bring Pat and her future husband Ed together in Canada. They were married in 1956, in Halton, Ontario.
The King clan moved West in 1966 and settled in West Vancouver. Ed and Pat “semi-retired” to Halfmoon Bay in the late 80’s, and enjoyed frequent family invasions on the Sunshine Coast.
Pat was pre-deceased by Ed, and survived by daughters Paula (Rob), Terri (Paul) and sons John (Angela), David (Amanda), and Gary, grandchildren Richard, Tessa, Joey, Quinn, Madeline, Zane, Zach, Adam, Tommy, Grayson, and great-grandchild Anahita. She took the time to make each of her children and grandchildren feel special and never missed a birthday.
Nothing made Pat prouder than being a mom and grandmother. She could be found in the crowd at many soccer, lacrosse, hockey, and school events. A perfect day was spent surrounded by family while she toiled in her kitchen, either as a short-order cook – banana fritters here, eggs and bacon there – or preparing perfectly-timed roast dinners for 15 people, all while carrying on multiple conversations on current events, world history, or a multitude of other topics. She never met a crossword she couldn’t finish.
Rest in peace, you are so loved, sweet lady.
Donations to Alzheimer Society of BC (www. https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hollyburnfunerals.com for the King family.
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