April 29, 1931 - January 1, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
Pat passed away peacefully at the age of 91 with family by her side at the Royal City Care Home in New Westminster.
Predeceased on September 26, 2021 by her husband of 43 years, William (Bill) Eric Linge.
Survived by her children: David (Bonnie), Shelley (Robyn), Phillip (Lanette), Jean-Paul (Evelyn), Christopher, Reider (Wendy), Sherry (Warren). Step-children: Donald (Heidi), Sheila.
Pat was the 5th child of Percy and Gladys Berry. Survived by her siblings: Dorothy (Dot), Shirley, Murray, Beverly. Predeceased by siblings: Wanda, Georgia, Valmore, Bevin.
Survived by 24 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by her grand-daughter, Nicole.
Pat was born on a farm in Durham County, Ontario. The family took the train across Canada and moved to Rossland, B.C. when she was young. Upon completion of Gr. 12, she moved to Victoria to take her teacher training.
Pat moved to Prince Rupert when she was 19 to teach at Borden Street School and King Edward School. She married Odd Eidsvik in 1953. They were married for 25 years and raised 7 children. The family was fortunate to have a foster sister, Jeannette, for a few years as well.
Pat was a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up. Her home was an open door and always had room for family, friends and for billets from sporting teams.
Pat loved nature and the outdoors, so the family spent lots of time outside going for walks at Oliver Lake, picnics at Kloiya Bay and camping in the Okanagan.
Pat could sew, bake, paint, build fences, entertain... basically she could do anything. She returned to teaching in the early 70's and loved every minute of it. Known for her care and kindness to all children, her choirs, and the cakes she made and decorated for all occasions.
Pat married Bill and moved to Richmond in 1979. She substitute taught at schools in Richmond for a few years and then went to college and became a Care Aid.
They moved to Creston in 1985. Pat's dream was to live on a farm again, so they bought a small orchard, "The Big Apple". She had a garden and hundreds of fruit trees. She loved selling apples, making jam, drying the fruit and making pies. Fruit roll-ups were her specialty.
She joined the United Church Choir, volunteered at the local elementary school and tutored a few students from home. She was an avid quilter, making quilts for the family and 125 children's quilts for the Hope Haven Transition House in Prince Rupert.
Pat and Bill were hockey fans and billeted a few of the young hockey players from the Creston Junior Hockey team. Pat loved her life in Creston.
Many thanks to the staff for their kindness and care of Patricia at Swan Valley Care Lodge in Creston and the Royal City Manor in New Westminster.
Pat will be sadly missed by everyone whose life she touched.
A celebration of life for Pat and Bill will be held in Creston later this year.
Donations in Pat's name can be made to the Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer (B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation). See the following link for details on how to donate.
https://secure.bcchf.ca/SuperheroPages/main.cfm?Member=19160&Event=ICE