Obituary of Gudrun (Pat) Wemer

Smiling until the very end, Pat passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in her 90th year. Predeceased by her husband, Harry, Pat will be deeply missed by her two daughters, Dorothy Wemer (David) and Kathy Patterson (Michael), and by her son Peter Wemer (Liz). Proud “Omi” to Cameron, Sean, Connor, Marnie and her devoted BFF, Emma.

Born in Zweibrücken Germany in 1929, Pat began her nursing career at 18 and immigrated to Canada with the RCAF in 1957, landing her first Canadian nursing job at Toronto General Hospital. Ten years later she began her family and traversed the country with her husband and children, residing in B.C. and Ontario, later retiring from Etobicoke General Hospital in 1994. She retired with her husband to Elliot Lake, ON, where she walked 5kms a day, regardless of the Northern Ontario weather, with her beloved dog Keba. She enjoyed a playful, outdoorsy but all too brief retirement with her husband Harry before his passing.

She followed her daughters to Kingston in 1999 to be nearer to the grandchildren. She joyfully assisted both daughters in raising their children, and played an active role in Cameron’s Waldorf classroom as “master knitter” and as Emma’s preferred playmate, spending hours being “sister”.

Her favourite Kingston locale was the Seniors Association, where she made beloved friends, including her best friend Judy, (predeceased) with whom she travelled to the South Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, NFLD & Quebec. They giggled like schoolgirls, played cards for hours and delighted in one another’s company.

Omi’s extended brood of grandchildren recall her huge laugh, always quick to erupt. She truly was the embodiment of joy and positivity; a role model to her children and to all who knew her. She believed in the happiness that comes from a simple life cherishing the small things, which are indeed, the big things.

With thanks to the incredible nursing staff at KGH who made Omi’s final days full of comfort, gratitude and professional familiarity.

The family will receive friends for a Celebration of Life at the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home, 178 Main Street, Odessa on Thursday, March 21st from 4-6 pm., with words of remembrance at 5:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory can be made to the Pat Wemer Bursary at St. Lawrence College (www.supportslc.com/tribute) or to The Seniors Association Kingston.

Please share your memories and condolences to the family at www.paynefuneralhome.com