It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Patricia Mary “Pat” Fechner from complications of cancer on the 11th of September, 2024, with her daughter by her side.

Pat was born in Bancroft, Ontario on the 14th of July in 1958, the fourth of seven daughters of Mary and Ernie Fechner.

As a young girl, Pat moved to Alberta with her family. She grew up attending school in the Camrose – Wetaskiwin area, graduating from Wetaskiwin Composite High in 1978. Following high school, she waitressed for a number of years at one of the best pizza & steak restaurants in Calgary, Atlas Pizza and Sports Bar.

A proud Calgarian, she especially enjoyed the 1988 Winter Olympics, frequently speaking highly about them for the rest of her life. She was also a passionate Flames fan and enjoyed seeing the team win its first (and so far only) Stanley Cup in 1989.

As a child it was her dream to become a nurse and in 1983 she returned to school to fulfill that dream, first becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse and later on a Health Care Aide. Pat was a devoted nurse with 40 years of dedicated service in caring for seniors at Bethany Calgary by the time of her retirement in August 2023. More than almost anything else, Pat loved and prided herself on taking care of people and teaching others how to best provide that care, continuing to do so even while hospitalized.

Pat had an adventurous spirit, often taking a holiday on short notice. She had travelled with most of her sisters and her daughter, and many fun times and adventures ensued, creating memories that will be talked about for many years to come.

With over 200 LPs, tapes, and CDs, Pat adored music and especially enjoyed cleaning to tunes and singing and dancing with her daughter. She went to many concerts over the years, including Elton John, a performance she spoke highly of. She was a particularly big fan of Elvis and Tina Turner. In addition, Pat was a noted cinema fan, with over 100 VHS tapes and DVDs. Tom Hanks was a notable favourite of hers- there was never a film of his that she didn’t enjoy.

A friend to all animals, Pat never came across a cat or dog that she didn’t love and want to pet or give a cuddle to. Animals loved her as much as she loved them, gravitating toward her kind and gentle spirit. She lovingly cared for her beloved cat, Moo, from the time he was two months old until he passed at nearly the age of 19 years old on November 21st, 2023.

Most importantly of all, Pat was a loving, affectionate, and fiercely devoted mother to her only child, Kayla, who was the light of her life from the moment she was born in 1994. There was never a day that went by without her speaking in glowing terms of her daughter; people frequently speak of how Pat would light up when with her daughter or when speaking of her. An extremely close pair, one was rarely without the other and they understood each other like no other, frequently sharing secret smiles and inside jokes that would have the other in stitches. Pat frequently bragged about how proud she was of her daughter’s intelligence and education, often regaling others of the many things that she had learned from her.

Her stew, meatloaf, french braiding skills, and most of all her warm hugs and words of support will be deeply missed.

Pat is survived by beloved only child and devoted daughter, Kayla, sisters Elaine (Wilf), Debbie, and Joan, nephews Adam, Matthew, Sam, Paul, Charlie, and niece Candace (Phil), and grand-nephews Aidan, Luke, and Jasper. She was predeceased by parents Mary and Ernie, sisters Darlene and Judy, nephew Aaron, and her precious cat, Moo. She will be dearly missed by countless friends, former coworkers and residents, and neighbours.

Donations to the Meow Foundation of Calgary or the Canadian Cancer Society in Pat’s memory would be deeply and gratefully appreciated.

A celebration of life in Pat’s honour will be announced at a later date. 

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