File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Pat Wallace

Former longtime Kamloops councillor Pat Wallace dies

Feb 12, 2023 | 8:02 AM

KAMLOOPS — A legend of Kamloops politics has died.

Patricia Wallace, known affectionately by friends and political colleagues as ‘Pat,’ died at her home in Brocklehurst Saturday (Feb. 11). She was 90.

Wallace was a fixture around the Kamloops council table for 31 years, having first been elected in 1980. In 1983, she became the first woman to serve as chair of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board of Directors, leading the board until 1986. (The TNRD would not see another female elected as chair until Barbara Roden in 2022.) Wallace served two terms on council, took a break after a failed bid for the mayor’s chair in 1986, then returned in 1993. After her return, her place at the table was cemented — she was re-elected seven times, finally opting to retire in 2018.

Wallace was awarded Kamloops’ highest civic honour, Freedom of the City, in 2019.

Two and Out

PETERS: Eby could learn something from Horgan, who bridged the ideological divide between urban and rural B.C.

16h ago

B100's Basics for Babies

B-100's Basics for Babies 2024

17h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Royal Inland Hospital's emergency room uses antimicrobial copper to fight infection

22h ago

“I’m feeling very well and happy about having stayed so long and now going out with my own decision,” Wallace told CFJC Today at the time of her retirement announcement.

Wallace will be remembered as a tireless champion for Kamloops, a fierce “free-marketer” and a direct speaker whose opinion was never unclear. During her decades on council, Wallace spurred and oversaw a long list of infrastructure and community improvement projects and represented the city at countless events.

At the time of her departure from municipal politics, Wallace received a host of accolades from all corners of public life.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar, a family friend who served on council with Wallace for several terms, paid tribute to her in the B.C. Legislature on Oct. 16, 2018 — the day of Wallace’s final council meeting.

“There is no doubt that Kamloops is the community it is today, (thanks) in large part to the contributions of Pat Wallace,” said Milobar. “I’m honoured and proud to not only have worked with Pat, but to stand here today and call her a friend.”

Wallace had three sons, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.