PATRICIA ISABELLA SKELLY (PAT)

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PATRICIA ISABELLA SKELLY
Born: August 17, 1928
Date of Passing: February 25, 2023

The family of Pat Skelly is saddened to announce the passing of our dear mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend on February 25, 2023. Pat was a very tough old bird and had numerous medical setbacks but always made astonishing recoveries. Her mind was sharp until she peacefully passed away.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us to express their condolences - we truly appreciate it. In accordance with Pat's wishes, there will be no funeral service, a small family gathering is planned.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choosing.
Voyage Funeral Home has been entrusted with our precious mother, feel free to leave a comment or memory on their website.
There are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews and friends who will all miss Pat deeply. The words of four of her children are below:

Maureen:
There are so many things I am going miss about my Mom - she taught me so many valuable lessons by her actions. She was faithful, and out of that faith grew her compassion, forgiveness and devoted nature. She was fun, she loved to have a good time, even when my poor father wanted quiet time, my mom couldn't miss a party. She was proud of her Irish heritage, I believe that's where she got her fiery spirit from (and passed down on the female side!!). She made friends easily, because she was so self assured and she volunteered her time willingly and selflessly. She loved music and she loved to dance, whether it was square dancing, ballroom dancing or just dancing around the kitchen. She always had a huge smile on her face. She loved her family unconditionally, whether it was a supper get together, a visit to Sarasota or their beloved Beresford Lake, a big party or a facetime call, she just loved being able to connect with us. I am so lucky to have had two amazing parents, and I'm hoping they are smiling down on us. I love you...

Greg:
Mom did not have an easy start to life. Her mother died very young, and her father was unable to care for her. She was so lucky to be taken by her aunt who provided a loving home and extended family for Mom to thrive in.
Mom clearly learned lots from her new family as we cannot have asked for a more loving house to be raised in. It was not easy with four rambunctious boys and one girl but they made ours a very happy home. There was not always a lot of money but we never felt that we were missing anything. She was a great cook, supported and celebrated our good times, and accomplishments and more importantly, was there for us in troubled times as well. She defined unconditional love. Our house was always full of love, and all of our friends were welcome. I will miss her terribly.

Bob:
When I think of our Mom, I think about her kind and caring smile. I think about how she loved being with people, and having so much fun, and how thoughtful and SELFLESS she was. My favourite memory of that was, during a bus strike in Winnipeg, I had to go downtown to pick up Mom up at Eaton's (where she worked) in the family car. When I got there, she had offered rides to so many people (that she did not know), just to help them our during that bus strike!
She was always there for us, offering her advice on whatever subject, we would bring to her. Mom's cooking was legendary also, we each had a special dish that she would make for us, when we would come around...mine was banana cream pie. That was pure love!
Hopefully the latter years were the best for Mom and Dad... with Florida being in the center of their universe, oh how they loved that place!
We will miss you Mom, each and every day, and have faith that Mom is now with Dad again, forever.

Bill:
Mom was and still is the kindest person I know. She rarely had an unkind word for anyone. Her boys very much tested her limits of tolerance and patience but no matter what we did she always had our back. You can measure the fondness of the kids in our family for Mom, by each of us claiming to be Mom's favourite. We all thought we were the one but that was how she made all of us feel. We will all miss the soft touch of her hands on our cheeks and her warm and heartfelt embrace.

I hope we can pass along even a small percentage of the way she loved us to our family and friends.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2023