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Patsy Frederick Obituary
FREDERICK, Patsy Elizabeth August 21, 1955, January 9, 2011 We are sad to announce that our beloved Patsy was taken by the angels in final peace after a brave battle with cancer. She was strong and gracious to the end, always more concerned about the feelings of those around her. Leaving to celebrate her life are her husband, Martin Barnett, Mum and Dad, Wilfred and Patsy Frederick, sister-in-law Ruth Barnett, 2 sons, Natty (Celina) and Elijah and 2 daughters, Tova (Loz) and Naomi (Steve) and 2 loving grandchildren, Ben and Caitlin. 4 brothers, Kurt (Lucy), Jan (Bev), Mark (Luanne) and John. 2 sisters, Jane (Wilf) and Alice, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles and many special friends around the world Patsy travelled extensively in the south seas and lived in Australia for many years, leaving there, a host of lifelong friends. She returned to Canada in 1990 running her own successful Rising Star Bakery in Victoria BC, before settling in Ladysmith. Celebration of her life will be held Sunday 16th January at 1.pm at Telford's Funeral Service, 112 French Street Ladysmith BC. Many thanks to all the medical staff in Victoria, Duncan, and Nanaimo for their support of Patsy during her difficult illness. 614555
Memories and Condolences
for Patsy Frederick
9 Entries
Martin Barnett
January 31, 2011
I like to dream yes, yes, right between my sound machine
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here
Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me little girl
On a magic carpet ride
And what a ride it was!
Dear Patsy, I want to thank you for coming into my life, for finding the little lost hippy English boy back at 1280 Walnut Street, it was March 4th 1978. We sat in the bay window on the floor, Glen introduced us. You were wearing jeans and a plaid shirt and had one braid on the side of you head. You had such chubby cheeks. I knew you were the epitome of my true Prairie Girl. We listened to Marley and Third World. I was smitten.
Being “Mr. Cool” I avoided you after that day, to tell you the truth, I didn’t think I had a snowball’s chance in hell of getting a date, so it was most surprising when you wobbled up on your bike the next day, ‘because you happened to be in the neighbourhood’
You swept me off of my feet…I wanted to spend every second with you. I was daft for you….and we laughed played and worked our way together for the next 2 years. We started a business with some very cool people, you showed me how to work, then put in an extra shift, then go dancing, EVERY NIGHT!........ you were, as was said back then, my sister, lover, mother sometimes……..you taught me how to bake…….and now I teach people how to bake…how enduring is that legacy? We lived in a little cottage in Metchosin, we drank cayenne pepper and water to keep warm…we were evicted for a gardening infraction…and we drifted apart. How did that happen?
You cooked at the Prancing Pony, everyone loved you, but you still had one big trip left and off you went to Australia…..your friends there, in Byron Bay, are crying today for you, Patsy, as Margi said about you “She was literally one of the main friends, only on one hand that we can count on in this life and she can not be replaced, and Cheryl…..”Fly high, sweetheart, we shall miss you so much.”
Our flame was inextinguishable………10 years later fate allowed us another chance. You flew up to Hawaii and I flew down….you met me at the bottom of the arrival steps, my knees were like jelly, my heart thumped and my mouth went dry. Who ever gets second chances? You must have already been on the angel’s good girl list.
You came back to Vancouver Island with me, embraced Naomi, Natty, Elijah and Tova with all the pit-falls that step-parenting brings. But you never wavered from fairness and firmness, your recipe was stirred in with much love and fun, and they will all tell you today that their lives are better for having been part of yours, dear Patsy.
We bought our place in Humpback Valley, you planted palms, and you bought a bakery! You attracted a wonderful team of young people to work with you, nurturing them, showing them by example how to work hard. You baked wonderful food for all your customers, but you forgot to eat until you got into the jeep to come home…that car was full of spent Cheesie wrappers……and on top of that, you silly girl, Patsy…you took split days off for years. But you had a plan and sold the bakery, and with true selflessness decided to move up to Ladysmith with me, to our lovely home in Saltair…another garden, you trained as a florist and were looking forward to opening your own flower shop in this area……once again you put your dreams on hold for everyone else.
Dear Patsy, you were so righteous….no hypocrisy, no flim flam, no gray areas, no fence sitting, just black and white. Say it like it is and let’s move on. If you were in trouble, you had our backs. Loyal with a capital L.
Generous? You bet. Patsy you always had a few dollars in you pocket, you always had the next rent cheque and you could always pay the bills. You hated credit, but if someone was in need of a loan, you were the first to put your hand in your purse. When I made a bad business deal, you said “it’s only money” and commended me on having the chutzpa to be ambitious.
You were a woman’s woman, Patsy. You had solid girl friends. Feminism was not a phase for you, as you so often reminded me, but that aside, in the generosity of your spirit, you let the men in your life watch sports on TV!
You are beautiful Patsy, and even as I watched your tragic demise, you carried yourself with handsome dignity. When I turned fifty, a co-worker whispered to me that you were a “babe” other men may have been offended….I just beamed with pride! But what we, your family and friends got to experience is that beauty inside
You filled our home with wonderful things, you liked your Franz, your textiles….your infernal flying ducks…thank you for at least agreeing, finally, to have them all fly in the same direction! I am sure that they are helping the angels guide your magic carpet.
You loved your books….you had an innate desire to know everything.
You were a great traveler, Patsy; it was easy for you to move around foreign lands. I loved being your companion on these sojourns, whether it was to stare at works of art in The Uffizi, drink a Chianti in Sardinia or, Gramma Pappa, bounce your loving grandchildren on your knees
You taught us how to celebrate at holiday times, how to make and serve wonderful food…you remained a vegetarian (not a fad you would say), but would put a finger in the gravy to make sure it tasted right. Our dining room table, on these occasions was always full, and although you didn’t eat anything this past Christmas, you still made sure that everyone was looked after…..and of course you picked out a tree
Our last date was November 30th. We had tickets to see Leonard Cohen in Victoria. You decided to make the trip at the last moment. It was a miracle that you could suspend your discomfort for a few hours, there are a thousand Cohen lines that could be invoked, at this time, Patsy, but it is me that will “lock myself in a library shelf with the details of our honeymoon”
Thank you for embracing my family and introducing me to yours and all your friends. You often mentioned that you felt under appreciated in this world, and we used to disagree with you…I hope know that as you look down on this gathering, you will finally concede the argument, my well loved darling!
You hated me being a control freak, Patsy. Like your father in law Alf (who adored you too), we only wanted the best for those around us…..I apologize from the bottom of my heart if I ever made you feel uncomfortable. The one thing I wanted to control I couldn’t and that was the evil disease that took you. I am so sorry that you had to suffer.
I saw a vision of you this morning, Patsy; I know you were checking things out, briefly you were there and gone then a few minutes later a rainbow appeared over the house and remained for the longest time………
Fare well my love; you remain in my heart forever.
I like to dream yes, yes, right between my sound machine
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here
Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me little girl
On a magic carpet ride
ocean hellman
January 26, 2011
thank you beautiful Patsy for being such an inspiration in my childhood life. the imprint is incredibly rich and that which i draw on to this day for strength and connection. may your journey continue to be bountiful. you are missed. to my mountain man Martin and family sending you warmth and so much love. always. hugs and sweet kisses. ocean
The Fodey Family
January 22, 2011
Our deepest condolences to Patsy's family on your devastating loss. We all remember Patsy from her days as a young, happy girl in Regina.
Luzia Zemp
January 18, 2011
My deepest sympathy to you Martin and your family. My thoughts are with you while you are going through a very difficult and challenging time.
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We miss you Patsy and are thinking of you with lots of love. Our hearts are with your whole family, with deep sympathy for their loss.
Lisa & Joel
January 15, 2011
We miss you Patsy and are thinking of you with lots of love.
Our hearts go out to your whole family with deep sympathy for their loss.
Judi Henderson
January 14, 2011
Sorry to hear of your loss Martin. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
January 14, 2011
Patsy's memory will live on in all that knew her. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Sarah and Jorge
Linda Proe
January 14, 2011
Dear Martin, Natty, Elijah and Tova,
My heart goes out to you and my prayers for Patsy.
God bless,
Tova Barnett
January 14, 2011
I love you Patsy, I miss you so much already. I hope you are loving your new life as much as you loved this one.
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