Dale Ellen Patten (nee Cone)
June 15, 1943 – January 23, 2021
Peacefully at home, surrounded by family after a lengthy illness with cancer, on January 23rd in her 78th year. Loving wife of Dr. Donald Patten for 55 years, dedicated mother to Jeff (Erin) and Chris (Melanie). Dear grandmother to Matthew, Amber, Rachel and Alexander. Cherished sister of Richard Cone (Susan) and devoted Aunt to Jessie (Brad) and Roxy (Cole). Predeceased by her parents Douglas Haig Cone and Dorothy Ellen Cone, of Ottawa.
Dale grew up in Pembroke, Winnipeg and Ottawa and attended Fisher Park High School in the late 50s and early 60s. After graduating from business college, Dale began working in the mid-1960s at legal firms in Ottawa and Toronto. After fall 1968 Dale focused on raising her two children, caring for family members and volunteering at the Agincourt Rd. Public School library.
Once her two children were a little older, Dale embarked on a 40 year relationship with the Canadian Museum of Nature as a volunteer, assisting paleontology researchers with their studies. Dale showed incredible patience and dedication at the museum ensuring that paleontological samples were prepared and organized, using her trademark attention to detail and thoroughness. Dale received accolades and several awards for her longstanding loyalty and service to the museum.
In addition to her love of museums, Dale had many artistic passions, including the symphony, theatre and ballet. Dale and Don enjoyed experiencing the arts together for many decades.
All who knew Dale recognized her passion and interest for figure skating and world travel, marvelling at her commitment to attending the World Figure Skating Championships, nearly every year for decades, regardless of the destination.
Dale had a love of gardening and spent many hours tending to her flowers. However, Dale’s greatest joy was spending summers at the family cottage near Minden ON, swimming, playing board games with family and friends and watching loons as the sun set over Gull Lake.
Dale had great love of, and dedication to, her family and close friends and always looked forward to sharing laughter and closeness with others.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lisa Moore and the committed and attentive home-care nurses.
Due to COVID-19, a small family gathering and burial will be held this week, followed by a celebration of life, when permitted.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to do so, donations to the Canadian Museum of Nature would be greatly appreciated and may be made at www.nature.ca/donate.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dale Ellen Patten Cone Saturday January 23rd 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario