Patricia Ann BERRINGER

BERRINGER, Patricia Ann
Born: March 13, 1939
It is with profound sadness that we said goodbye to Pat Berringer (nee Reburn), who passed away peacefully on March 11, 2015. She was predeceased by her parents Reine Reburn (nee Peabody) and H. Newton Reburn; sister Doreen (Brooks); brother William and husband John Berringer in 2013. Just shy of her 76th birthday, she bore the effects of dementia for nearly seven years with the poise and dignity she carried all of her life. Her strength of character and deep intellect defined her as a person who was very much admired. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Pat was a person who always enjoyed a good laugh, loved books and political and current affairs discussions. She was a social activist who promoted equal opportunities for all. She was a strong believer in education and worked and volunteered in areas that benefited those disadvantaged by poverty and racial discrimination. She, herself, had to quit school in grade 10 to support her widowed mother and continued to send her money each month until her mother's death in 1968. She married John in June of 1959 and worked and attended school while raising a busy family of four sons. She spoke fondly of her experience at Office Overload in the '60s and returned to school in the 1970s taking on her studies with great veracity, attaining her master's degree in Anthropology at UBC. She successfully operated her own consultant company after graduation, was qualified as an expert witness in British Columbia Supreme Court and performed valuable research in her field of expertise, the fishing methods of the Coastal Peoples of B.C. She worked closely and formed many dear friendships with members of the Musqueam Band. Sadly, she suffered a stroke at age 54 and later developed dementia, which robbed us of her full presence. She will be greatly missed by her four sons and their families Chris (Sylvia), James (Sharon), John, Cory (Laura) and grandchildren Emily, Heather, Matthew, Benjamin, Stephanie, Samantha, Emma and Daniel. We will always cherish our memories of her, having been so fortunate to have her in our lives. We would also like to thank the German Canadian Care Home for taking care of her in her final years. There will be no service as we will all honour Pat in our hearts.