It is with broken hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Patti Louise Olson on March 3, 2024 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with family by her side.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the First Responders and Emergency Department Staff.
Patti was born on March 27, 1961 in Churchill, Manitoba to Harold and Merle Olson. A little girl who wore frilly dresses but who would also make mud pies beside her Granny’s house. She loved to dance with her Dad in the living room when the Lawrence Welk show was on. As a young girl, Patti was a figure skater, took piano lessons, and won an award for reciting a poem. She loved family trips to McCreary and Clearwater, Manitoba to visit her grandparents, uncles, aunts and play with her many cousins at the farm.
In 1972 Patti moved with her family to Thunder Bay. She attended Agnew H. Johnston and Sir Winston Churchill High School, was a Churchill Trojan Cheerleader and formed many everlasting friendships. She was employed with Bell Canada and Expertech, and then moved to Barrie for 13 years. She welcomed her many friends with open arms when they came to visit, some sleeping on the lawn chair when all the beds and couches were taken. When Dad came to visit he was given “the list” which kept him busy with painting, wall papering and other little fix-it projects that they completed together, and then it was Five O’clock somewhere! When Expertech moved the Barrie office to Toronto, Patti gave her notice and said I’m moving back to Thunder Bay to spend more time with my family. It was a move she never regretted. Patti found employment again working for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, a job she really enjoyed with her wonderful group of co-workers, and even after retiring still kept in touch with.
In retirement, one would think you would have a lot more time to yourself. But Patti had the kindest heart and a passion for helping the less fortunate. She enjoyed baking muffins weekly for the Underground Gym youth, donating household items to help people start over in a new apartment, baking cookies for P.A.C.E. and helping her sister make sandwiches for the Salvation Army Soup Van. Patti would spend hours in her perennial garden and planted milkweed to help bring back the Monarch Butterflies. She cared about the environment, and with her sister participated in the annual “Spring Up to Clean-up” program to help beautify Thunder Bay.
After our Dad passed away in 2017, Patti checked on Mom regularly sharing nightly suppers, taking care of her finances, taking her to doctor and dentist appointments and enjoyed watching many of their favourite TV programs together before leaving for her own home at midnight. Patti loved going to Tuesday Night Bingo, and playing Keno at the Casino. She would get so mad at Keno sometimes saying “this is ridiculous, I put so much money in this machine it should be giving me something back by now” and low and behold she would win a small jackpot, and we would just laugh.
Patti was always grateful to Mom for looking after her little dog “Zoe” so she and her sister could go on their annual September road trip to Manitoba to visit relatives and then down to Black Bear to golf and of course do a little gambling. Patti always insisted on driving the whole trip in her 1999 Honda Odyssey Van (originally owned by her Dad) letting her sister choose the tunes and enjoy the ride!
Patti and Linda’s special bond was evident to everyone. It wasn’t often that you wouldn’t see one without the other on the golf course, snowshoeing, biking, at Thunderwolves Hockey games, cheering on the Border Cats, volunteering at Pioneer Ridge Seniors Bingo, selling food at the Kiwanis Food Booth at Hymers Fair, and walking Patti’s dog around Chapples Park. I have lost my best friend but when I see a butterfly I will know it is you … Luv Big Sister Linda.
Patti’s niece Rachel was special, always wishing the best for her and whom she loved very much.
Thanks for the chauffeur services when I had my knee operation and those late night pickups after numerous weddings “bonner”. I know you will be safe in Heaven with Dad. Love you always, your brother David.
My darling daughter I will love you forever. Thank you for everything you ever did for me, you are “my sunshine.” I promise to take good care of your little dog Zoe.
Love you more, more, more – Mom
Patti will be dearly missed by Mom Merle, sister Linda (Dan Zawacki), brother David “Oly”, sister-in-law Jodi, niece Rachel, and her fur baby Zoe. Also survived by uncles, aunts and numerous cousins.
Predeceased by her dad Harold Olson and many other fur babies.
Cremation has taken place. All are welcome to attend the “Interment” at Mountain View Cemetery (Niche Wall) on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 1p.m. (which would have been Patti’s 63rd birthday). Join the family for coffee and cake at the Olson Family Home from 2:00 to 4:00p.m.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Cancer Centre or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
“If there ever comes a day
where we can’t be together,
keep me in your heart.
I’ll stay there forever”.
- Winnie the Pooh
Online condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
