Obituary of Laura Stuart Patterson

Patterson, Laura “Stuart”, (nee Lydiard), beloved wife to the late Mr. Justice Henry S. Patterson of Calgary, passed away on June 26, 2009, at the age of 94 years. Laura “Stuart” Patterson was born on September 23, 1914 in Kentville, Nova Scotia, the only child of Thomas Allister and Alice Rebecca Lydiard. Stuart grew up in the Annapolis Valley with many of her extended family nearby. She was an avid tennis player and won several trophies, including one for the Nova Scotia Mixed Doubles Championship in the 1930s. After high school graduation she took business courses and then studied to be a Laboratory Technician at Colby Junior College in New Hampshire. Stuart married Henry Patterson of Calgary, Alberta, on December 5, 1940. Eight days later, he left to serve overseas with the Third Division Signals Corps for five years. Stuart joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) and was stationed at the Colonel Belcher Hospital and Curry Barracks in Calgary; Suffield, Alberta; and St. Anne de Bellevue in Quebec, working as a Laboratory Technician. She attained the rank of Sergeant during her military service. Stuart was a kind and gracious lady. She was strong in the face of adversity, and yet very gentle. We all enjoyed and will greatly miss her quick wit and sweet spirit. She was devoted to her family; supportive through joys and successes as well as tribulations and illness. Stuart was a member and regular attendee of Knox United Church in Calgary. She served for many years on the Knox United Church Sunday School Auxiliary, the Colonel Belcher Auxiliary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. Stuart was a passionate fan of the Calgary Stampeder football team and had been a season ticket holder since shortly after McMahon Stadium was built. She will be sorely missed by her daughter Luana Waldron (Kenneth), son John Patterson (Lee), daughter Sylvia Polachuk, son-in-law Bob Ainsworth, grandchildren Carl Waldron (Michelle); Heather, Jill, and Stephen Ainsworth; Andrew and Christina Polachuk; and great-grandchildren Marae, Nathaniel and Elise Waldron. She will also be greatly missed by her brother-in-law Arthur Patterson, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her husband Mr. Justice Henry Patterson in 1990 and daughter Buffy Ainsworth in 2006. Stuart and her family appreciated the wonderful care she received in the Comprehensive Community Care (C3) Program at Carewest Sarcee. This marvelous program enabled her to live independently in her own home until just weeks before her death. A Celebration of Stuart’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, July 6, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Stuart generously supported a great number of charities. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the C3 Program c/o Calgary Health Trust, Rockyview Hospital, 4th Floor, Fisher Bldg, 7007 – 14 St. SW Calgary T2V 7P9, phone (403) 943-3703 ext. 2, or Alberta Cancer Foundation c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 St. NW Calgary T2N 4N2, phone (403) 521-3433, or a charity of your choice. In living memory of Stuart Patterson, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.