Obituary of Olga Mary Patterson

 As softly as a leaf floats to the ground riding a light fall breeze, Olga Patterson passed away on October 30, 2023 at the age of 88.

She is survived by six children, Carole Ann Presley (Barry), Rick (Joanne), Sandra (Jamie), Gary, Brian and Dave (Judi).

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren Krista Parker (Bryan), Amanda Irwin (Mike), Daryl Presley (Brie), Grant Patterson (Alyssa), Andrea Lozzi (Nik), Alex Patterson, Lauren Sooklal (Dave), Emma Patterson, Chevy Fisher (Shelby) and Seth Hedges. Predeceased by Grandson Jeremy Kemp.

She also had 11 great grandchildren, including, Ashten, Bryden, Olivia, Ivy, Ella, Cruz, Amelia, Owen, Leo, Hunter and Lucy.

Olga is also survived by her loving sister Marion Allaer (George).

She is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Mary Dostal, her husband of almost 43 years Ken Patterson and an infant sister Lillian.

Olga was born in Chatham, Ontario in 1935 and lived an incredible life, and overcame so much to be the woman she was.

She was born midway through the Great Depression and lived through WWII.

Olga met Ken Patterson when she was with friends in Florence, Ontario,  and after several months of courtship they eventually decided to get married on June 9, 1956.

She was thrilled to marry into such an amazing family and loved all of Ken's siblings, George, Estella , Doris, Lorne, Leila, Shirley, Gail, Jean, Pat and Lynne.

As well as being a full time mother. Olga worked several jobs including as a labourer at Schultz Diecast, a grocery clerk in Thamesville, a rural mail carrier for Canada Post, Counter clerk at Thames Sales Yard, Canadian Canners in Dresden and worked with Elections Canada.

She was always on the move as she loved watching both her children and then in later years her grandchildren play hockey, baseball and many other activities. Olga was never too far from family as she loved to play games and spend time with her grand children and great-grand children.

She was a very independent woman who loved travelling, whether it was a day trip with Ruth McDonald and Edith Lunn on their bus trips or travelling distances to Veneszuala, Las Vegas, New York, the Canadian East Coast, Florida and other destinations. 

Olga was active in several activities of her own. She held many offices with the Rebekah Lodge including Noble Grand, an active member of the United Church Women, T.O.P.S., the Women's Institute,  the Thamesville Senior's Centre, the Thamesville Horticultural Society and the Parent Teacher Association and Ridgetown Hockey Moms.

Olga loved people and her big heart would shine as she always took time to travel to hospitals and nursing homes to visit people. She often stopped by to visit the elderly in their homes.

Her love for animals and nature was second to none as she felt that everything in this world had feelings and beauty. She loved her trees in her yard and marvelled at how the squirrels (whirlies) would play and leap from tree to tree. She loved the birds that came to call, especially the cardinals and blue jays. Olga enjoyed the beauty of butterflies and made sure that there was enough milkweed by her front step to help feed the monarch butterflies in the neighbourhood.

As much as she loved all animals she really loved dogs and cats. It was always a treat to go help get Sadie and Charlie their haircuts every few weeks but she especially loved the cats that she owned, including Greystone and later Sparky.

If that doesn't sound like enough she loved playing Bingo and going to Dresden Raceway to watch the horses.

When she had time at home she enjoyed watching Dateline, her court shows and her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.

Even though it doesn't seem possible to cram everything she did into a short 88-years, she did, which is maybe why she was best known for her kind, grateful heart and her happy go lucky attitude and her big smile.

The Patterson Family will receive friends at the John C. Badder Funeral Home, 72 Victoria St., Thamesville on Thursday from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Interment Mayhew-Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Thamesville. In lieu of flowers donations to the Thamesville Fireman's Association (c/o  P.O. Box  418, Thamesville ON. N0P 2K0) or P.A.W.R. "Pet and Wildlife Rescue" (c/o 405 Park Ave E, Chatham, ON N7M 3W4 ) would be appreciated.