GAYLE MATILDA RIEDEL
September 23, 1944 – January 3, 2020
We have always been proud that our Mom is strong. She turned difficulties into positives.
Adelle Poitras & Allen Patrick lived in Hamilton when Gayle Matilda was born. I surprised her with a filmed side trip there in 2009. Divorce shuffled the children between caregivers, the girls missing their Mother for years. Mom taught us that close friends are family. Her parental figures remain dear: the Weinsteins, Coghills, Steinthorsons, Ma & Pa Smith, Lorraine Larivière, Evelyne Châles, and her in-laws Leonard & Marian.
Schooling centered in Red Lake, a beautiful place we visited. Her curling team won the 1962 Red Lake District High School Bonspiel! Mom & Dad enjoyed a game of Ronald’s in 2011. Before the 1960s closed, Winnipeg was home; in one house for 37 years. Mom was a natural pharmacy assistant but chose homemaking, so her children had their Mom daily.
Arnold & Gayle married in 4 months, on October 23, 1971. Dad says Mom made him a better person. He reveres his wife as a half, making them whole. They did all travelling together. Her passions inspire us: houseplants, gardening, tree-landscaping, wildberries, baking, books, music, road trips, sewing, knitting, family history, and preserving our keepsakes.
We feel her love and are the lights of her life: husband Arnold, daughter Carolyn (Ronald), son Mark (Jennifer), son Timothy (Andrea), granddaughter Adalyn, grandson Lenny Blake. Timothy & Andrea cherish Mom’s extraordinary bond with her grandchildren, unaffected by the distance to Toronto. Mark & Jennifer relish Mom’s humour.
Her animal-loving heart includes cat-grandchildren: Carolyn & Ron’s McCartney, Spirit, Marigold, Angel, Petal, Conan; Mark & Jennifer’s Bella and Bert. Dad & Mom loyally made a trip for our kittens’ joint September birthday.
Mark & Jennifer were generously on-hand for our parents despite shift-work. Timothy’s photographs and videos with Andrea delighted them. Our spouses Ronald, Jennifer, and Andrea brighten our family.
She was second-Mom to her sister Lorelie and nephew Aaron, brother Glayne, Rhean (Valerie), nieces Dana and Jolene. Teenaged Gayle helped her stepmother June, with sisters Judith, niece Samantha; Natalie, nephew Connor, niece Rayanna; Avril (Sebastian). The Riedels instantly became family: brothers-in-law Dennis (Joyce) and Fred (the late Kim).
Lorelie was a nurturing presence to her precious sister. Close friends Judy, Martin, and Laura also cherish wonderful visits with Mom. The Ramcharans, other friends, and family sent flowers, cards, phone calls, healing, and love.
Mom recovered well from bypass surgery. This year, she was formidable against pneumonia, infections, and mini-strokes. We appreciate the caring teams of all her Seven Oaks Hospital units. Dad spent every day with Mom. We each savour sacred personal time together.
Mom blissfully reunites with her parents, beloved Patrick & Riedel relatives, and friends. Girlhood animals greet her: Penta, Teddy, Sandy, Sheba. From our childhood: Candy, Candy 2, Sandy 2, Thumbelina. Later: Carolyn & Ron’s precious Love and Mark & Jennifer’s Lopez.
Everybody eventually values personal relationships, more than any other accomplishment. Thanks to our Mom: the most wonderful wife, parent, grandma, sister, aunt, friend; we have prioritized this all along.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gayle Matilda Riedel Patrick Friday January 3rd 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba
My beloved sister – I will miss you dearly. May you have eternal peace. Love Carole Lorelie Patrick