Obituary for Rosalie Spurrell (Patey )
It is with great sadness that the family of Rosalie (Patey) Spurrell announces her
peaceful passing in her 100th year, at James Paton Memorial Hospital.
Rosalie was predeceased by her infant son Eric Vaughn; her parents Leslie and Amelia (Ash) Patey;
her husband Eric; and sister Mary Patey. She leaves to mourn her daughter, Sharon;
son Dennis (Dorothy) Patey; grandsons Dion (Darlene), Danny (Stacey) and Darren
(Tina) Patey; her sister Violet Decker; brother Edmund Patey; nephew Glenn Patey and
nieces Kathy (Colin) Morris, Janice (Paul) Kattenbusch and; long-time family friend
Anne Cleaver; extended family and many friends.
Born in St. Anthony, NL, she attended the first integrated school in the province, the Wilfred T. Grenfell School. At a young age she realized a great desire to work with young children which led to her life’s work as a Primary school teacher taking her to Memorial College and various teaching positions.Eventually her calling brought her to Gander in 1950 for a one year teaching post that stretched into thirty years until her retirement in 1980.
She loved her career as a teacher and never wanted to think of retirement. With many fond memories of her students, their parents, her colleagues, she often reminisced about her experiences, thankful to all who helped make her years of teaching so wonderful. Rosalie always maintained “Teaching is a very rewarding career”.
Throughout her years she played an active role in the community as a member of the Women’s Institute where weaving was a passion, a volunteer at the hospital, Kiwanis Music Festival, and various other organizations.
Rosalie was a member of the Elks Royal Purple Ladies, a long-time member of the Masonic Ladies Association and was a Lady Shriner.
A great ambition for Rosalie was to see other lands which she fulfilled in her retirement travelling with family and/or friends in Canada, the USA, Great Britain, and Continental Europe.She was so happy to see firsthand many countries and landmarks that she had learnt about in her years of schooling. During these travels she met new people and maintained many lasting friendships.
Gardening and well-kept grounds were a “must” and a favourite hobby of Rosalie. Even after moving from her home on Hawker Crescent in 2006 to reside with her daughter, Sharon, she lovingly maintained her own little garden. When she was not gardening she was knitting some of the loveliest socks which have literally travelled all over the world.
In the Fall of 2015 she moved to Golden Years Estates and resided there until May of this year. She made new friends, enjoying the residents and caregivers with whom she interacted. Thank you to Ursula Parsons and the staff who helped to make Rosalie, “the social butterfly” comfortable
.
Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Paulus and the staff at JPMH for their wonderful care. She was well looked after by some wonderful and loving people.
Resting at Stacey’s Funeral Home, Friday December 21st 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral service Saturday December 22nd at St. Martins Anglican Cathedral , Gander. Interment All Saints Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or If anyone so wishes, donations may be made in Rosalie’s name to Central Northeast
Health Foundation (James Paton Memorial Hospital) 125 Trans-Canada Hwy, Gander, NL A1V 1P7 or to St. Martin’s Cathedral 2 Lindbergh Road Gander NL.
Arrangements entrusted through Stacey’s Funeral Home, Gander. To leave a message of condolence please visit www.staceysfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rosalie Spurrell Patey January 27 1919 –
December 19 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Gander, Province: T-N