PATRICIA COLLEEN STAPON
(nee QUIRK)
An Angel came and took her hand…
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Patricia Colleen Stapon (née Quirk), on April 16, 2021. She will be lovingly missed by her son Justin; sister Rosemary (Matthew); nieces Shauna (Tony), Chelsey (Ryan), Delaney and great-nephews Jack (Dad, Erv), Brecken and Brookes.
Patricia was predeceased by her parents Douglas and Emily as well as her brother Michael.
Patricia was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario. She attended Mount Carmel School during which time she enjoyed attending Brownies and Guides. She loved skating at Central Park, swimming at Rabbit Lake, taking the Argyle to Coney, and spending nights at the drive-in movies and mini golf with her family. As well she loved just spending time outdoors with the rest of the ‘9th Avenue Neighbourhood Kids’. Let’s not forget that like all kids who grew up in Kenora she awaited with anticipation the opening of the Dairy Queen – a sure sign that summer had arrived.
One of Tricia’s passions in life was always music but during her preteen through teen years she began playing the guitar and it became a wonderful hobby of hers through these years.
She spent her high school years at Beaver Brae Secondary School where she enjoyed high school dances, her friends, learning to drive and first dates. She started her first job as a Summer Playground Leader at King George School. During her senior year in high school she was crowned “Miss Beaver Brae Bear”!
During the summers, Patricia would spend as much time as possible with her siblings on the lake, with their little 12ft boat with a 9.9 Johnson – although they promised their mom otherwise, they always ventured further than “Coney Island”.
Trisha completed her Post-Secondary Diploma at Confederation College in Thunder Bay where she studied Hotel Management. When she completed her diploma, she went on to The Algonquin Resort, St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, New Brunswick. Her career took her to the Marlborough Hotel and then on to the Niakwa Country Club, both situated in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Patricia than married in 1981 and in 1985 welcomed her son Justin into the world.
As a mother to Justin, she was a loyal and constant supporter of all that he strived to do as a young man, whether that be cheering him on in his numerous sports or
encouraging his interests and hobbies through academics and the arts. Patricia loved being a mother.
In the mid 1990’s she returned to the workforce at the St. Boniface Hospital where she had many happy years of employment.
It is important to note that Patricia was a constant traveller to “The Lake” (as she referred to Lake of the Woods). Here she spent many years helping her parents at the Anchor Inn and spending time with her nieces, and later with her great nephew. She would also enjoy the chance to get out and golf at Beauty Bay with family. She loved afternoon drives to Minaki, boat rides on the pontoon boat, and watching the fireworks at the Harbourfront in the summer. Her travels also took her to the Rocky Mountains – skiing in Jasper and Banff where she loved “snow plowing down those ski runs”, as well as to Ottawa, and she loved to visit her sister and Matthew in Edmonton as much as she could.
Patricia also made many international travel memories with trips to Ireland, Israel, New York, Maui (Hawaii) and London (England).
Patricia struggled with autoimmune disease which led to problems with kidney failure, requiring dialysis.
During this struggle, her true light and optimism shone the brightest. She was a constant positive force with both fellow patients and staff. She became an avid reader and enjoyed time on her iPad (Social Media). She was always an active contributor to her Facebook group which kept her busy. She was ever grateful for her dialysis healthcare professionals and the doctors who cared for her.
We will miss her smiling face, her sense of humour, and positivity. She will remain in our hearts forever.
“She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
Or you can be full of the love that you have shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and lose your mind,
Be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what Tricia would have wanted:
Smile, Open your Eyes, Love and Go On”
– David Alexander, Elder.
In compliance with Covid-19 restrictions, the family will be leaving the Funeral Mass and internment until a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada – Manitoba Branch would be greatly appreciated. Online donations: www.kidney.ca/manitoba or call (204) 989-0800.
In memory of Tricia, we are asking everyone to please sign your organ donor card.
E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
ejcoutu.ca
Read Less
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Colleen Stapon (Quirk), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Patricia Colleen Stapon Quirk Friday April 16th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba