It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our wonderful mom and wife Patricia Saunders (Connors).

Mom was 69 and after a short battle with illness, she passed away peacefully on May 20th at Tofield Health Center in Tofield, Alberta. She was born on January 17th, 1955 in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland. After leaving Newfoundland in the late 70’s with the love of her life, Neville Saunders and their two children, they made their way to British Columbia where they lived for many years.

In 2000 they decided it was time to change gears and so they headed out to Alberta where they spent several years in Gwynne before packing up their fifth wheel and embarking on a cross Canada trek to make their way back home to Newfoundland once again. After the birth of their first grandchild, they decided that they wanted to be closer to their daughter and son, so they once again made the move back out to Alberta this time settling in the small community of Holden where they have lived for the past seven years.

Mom and dad were explorers at heart and they loved to go on road trips any chance they got. When they were back in Newfoundland, they travelled all over the province and explored every road they could find. After moving back out to Alberta, they would hit the road as soon as the snow stopped and drive out to Kitimat to spend time with their daughter Heather, her husband Mike and their daughter Kallysta. When they weren’t driving out to BC, they were always on the go exploring anywhere the roads would take them all around the province of Alberta.

Friends and family will forever remember mom for her witty sense of humor and her love of storytelling. She had so many funny adventure stories that we would often sit for hours and laugh at the memories she would share with us. She was also very well known for her love of baking and would spend days baking for the Christmas season. Nothing would beat receiving a parcel stocked with mom’s signature cookies and loaves made with love.

She was a very kindhearted and caring person who often thought about those who were less fortunate. She was so generous and loved to help others whenever she could.

Patricia is survived by the love of her life, Neville Saunders, daughter, Heather (Mike), son, Michael and granddaughter, Kallysta and sister Shirley.

At mom’s request, we will be taking her on one more road trip through the Canadian Rockies as we bring her home to Kitimat, BC. It was her favorite trip to make and as a family we will keep our promise and stop at her favorite points along the way.

A small family gathering to celebrate mom's life will be held on June 1st in Kitimat, BC.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada in her honor.

 

MOM

In the quiet of dawn, when the sun kisses the sky, we will remember you, momma, with tears in our eyes. Your laughter echoes in the wind’s gentle sway, A melody of love that will never fade away.

You taught us strength, resilience, and grace, Guiding us through life with your gentle embrace. Your hands held ours, your heart so warm, we always found comfort to weather the storm.

A garden of memories blooms with your care, each petal a cherished moment we are honored to share. Your love is a beacon that lights our darkest night, it will guide us toward hope, even when out of sight.

Through seasons of joy and seasons of strife, you were our compass, our anchor in life. Your legacy lives on in the stories we tell, we will never forget you as the tears start to well.

So here for you mom, heartfelt words line by line, a tribute to the bond that transcends space and time. Though you’re gone from our sight, you will remain near, forever etched in our hearts, forever held dear.