1926 – 2019

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our loving mom, gramma and great-gramma, Patricia “Pat” Musgrove, on Monday, August 12, 2019, 7 days short of her 93rd birthday. Mom was born August 19, 1926 in Klistiz, Romania, landing via The Estonia in Halifax, NS August 28, 1928 with her family, eventually settling in Lavoy, AB on a farm. She lived through some difficult times during the Great Depression before moving to Chilliwack, BC with her family in the late 40s.

In 1955 Mom met the man of her dreams, Bob, who swept her off her feet at a wedding celebration. She had just had a disagreement with her then date, how lucky for dad and for us! They were married November 26, 1955 in Seattle, WA and settled in Victoria, BC for a few years before our dad’s work with CNR had them moving on to Terrace, BC, Peace River, AB, Hay River, NWT and then finally settling in Kamloops, BC in 1971. Mom has lived in our home since that time; we are pretty sure she was the “matriach” of the block.

After 40 years working at the Coast Canadian Inn, mom finally retired at the ripe young age of 75! Mom’s passion was baking and cooking, and at many family get-togethers we always joked that there was enough food to feed the neighborhood. Her soups and pies were her speciality. Her grandaughter told her she should have opened up her own restaurant. At Christmas she roasted the largest turkey she could find (often there were 20 guests or more) as everyone and anyone was invited, and she lit up the house with lights and decorations inside and out. She was recognized in the Kamloops News for her festive lights.

She loved her flowers and in summer, her yard was filled with hanging baskets and flower containers. Many a passerby would remark on mom’s flowers and how beautiful the yard looked. Before our dad passed, he would bring home a bouquet of yellow roses weekly for her. Yellow was her favourite colour.

Mom was also known for her “colourful” words. If she swore at you or called you a “little sh*t”, that meant she liked you a lot. Mom was predeceased by our dad who passed away in January 2000. Mom was also predeceased by her parents and 4 sisters.

Mom is survived and will be dearly missed by her 5 children, Shelley (Terry), Bobbi (Al), Rick, Wayne (Krys) and Mike (Trina), 7 grandchildren who loved their grammy so much (Harmony (Bobby), Brayden, Brenna, Brooke (Nico), Chase, Ryan and Landon) and 3 great-grandchildren (Xavier, Phoenix and Dax).

“What a ride” she shared with us shortly before her passing. When asked what was one of the best things about her ride, she shared “all my grandkids”.

We were blessed to learn many valuable life lessons from our mom during her almost 93 years, among them “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all”, “two wrongs do not make a right” and “this too shall pass.” She loved to tell jokes and had an amazing sense of humour. She was our rock, our inspiration, the heart and soul of our family. She was there for every one of us, always putting herself last. She was a remarkably strong and courageous woman right to the very end. She will be thought of every day and we will live our lives as she would have wanted us to. We were so blessed she was ours.

Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Loland for his care and compassion, to the palliative care team that came to her home and to the nurses, care aids, volunteers and staff at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice, we will always remember the care and kindness you all gave to our mom. You went above and beyond for her and we are truly grateful to you all.

No service will be held at the request of our mom. In lieu of flowers you may donate to Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at DrakeCremation.com

• Date : 2019-08-20
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.