We Remember
BAIRD, Patricia Blain
April 7, 1952 — August 7, 2020
Patricia “Pat” was born on April 7, 1952, in Chatham, ON to Agnes and Raoul Blain. She passed away at the Kelowna Hospice House on August 7, 2020, at the age of 68. Pat is survived by her loving husband Gary; her children Melissa, Gavin and Amanda; and her grandsons Garron, Cayden, Lachlan and Elias. Pat is also survived by her mother Agnes as well as her siblings Allan, Rick, Dennis, Gisele and Gary. She is predeceased by her father Raoul.
Pat grew up on a farm in Clearville, ON and learned from a young age the value of hard work and family. After marrying her husband Gary in 1977, they moved to the Okanagan, which has been their home since 1978. Pat was a chemistry professor at Okanagan College for over 30 years. When she wasn’t in the lab, she was at home with Gary working on their family orchard or on one of her many entrepreneurial projects.
She couldn’t sit still; She was always on the go. Pat had a love of sports and enjoyed sharing those skills with others. She played ladies baseball and coached many kids’ teams. She water-skied and was always willing to jump in the lake with a beginner to help them learn. Pat was an avid downhill skier and snowboarder, and she enjoyed hiking and biking.
In her retirement years her love of gardening blossomed. Pat enjoyed nothing more than being outside with her family and friends. She was a doting wife, mother and grandmother. She thoroughly enjoyed the antics of her four grandsons. Pat will be forever missed by all.
Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the KGH Foundation Hospice House, hospicehousekelowna.com, or the BC Cancer Foundation, www.bccancer.bc.ca, both whom have provided exceptional care during this difficult time.
A Funeral Service will be held to honour Pat, due to the current pandemic restrictions it will be by invitation only. However, the family would like to invite all who would like to pay their respects to join them by Livestream on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 1:00 pm.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
THIS SERVICE WILL BE LIVESTREAMED/BROADCAST ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020, AT 1:00 PM.
Share with Others:
KGH Foundation Hospice House or the BC Cancer Foundation Link: hospicehousekelowna.com, www.bccancer.bc.ca
Condolences
Dear Gary, Gavin, Melissa and Amanda, I am so sorry for your loss. Pat was a wonderful woman and mother. I remember her welcoming but firm approach to rowdy teenage parties at your house in Lake Country, and I remember the concern in her face when Gavin was so badly injured in the car accident. I also remember the warmth and love and pride that she showed in her grandchildren. Mostly, I think her legacy is in the amazing relationship she had with Gary, and the way she raised each of you to be strong, successful, good people. I will be thinking of you often and I hope you can find strength in each other, and know that there are so many people who love you. I hope I can see you all soon.
James.
Aunt Pat, we love you now and always. You live on in our cherished memories.
My deepest sympathy to your entire family.
Pat and I met at Ridgetown district high school and remained friends. She was a very dear friend and I treasured her friendship. I will miss our lengthy chats and catching up with all her news. My heart aches for her loss. But, knowing she is in no MORE pain, gives me peace.
Hugs Kathy
Dear Gary and family, we are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved wife, mother and grandmother. As neighbours for many years we so appreciated (along with so many others) Pat’s beautiful flowers and always admired her amazing work ethic along with Gary’s. A great neighbour always up for an over the fence chat. Deepest condolences, John and Sandy
Gary, we would like to send our sincere condolences. Although we only knew you and Pat through tennis, we always appreciated Pat’s upbeat spirit and positive attitude.
Dear Gary and Family,
Jack and I are saddened to hear this news. We only met Pat a few years ago but we so enjoyed her company on the tennis court. It was fun to have her there….to enjoy the game and to sit and visit while we took our turns in the rotation, The love of family, and the pleasure she took in being a wife, a mom, and a grandma was obvious.
Our deepest condolences,
Jack and June Johnston
Tom and I send our sympathy to your family. Pat was a wonderful person and will be missed. Carol Campbell and Tom Ueda
I can’t believe Pat has passed on. We haven’t known each other long but had so much fun on the tennis courts. She was always a goid sport and an enthusiastic competitor. I admired her courage in the ordeal she was faced with this past year. So unfair and unbelievable. My condolences to Gary and family.
Gary, Melissa, Gavin, and Amanda The obituary you’re wrote covered her to a T. She was so dedicated to you guys, her beautiful property, and her career before she retired. She was always on the go, and never for a minute did she let giving life her all, slip by. When I called to talk to Gary, invariably the bulk of the conversation was with Pat. She was so easy to talk to and I enjoyed every minute of it. I will miss her dearly. she was a great sister in law. Hugs to all Laura
Below was an email that I sent to Pat, July 13, 2020. I’m sure Pat would not object to sharing it.
Hi Pat,
I was outside yesterday and thoughts of Clearville popped into my head. One thought led to another… There were many long days walking along Lake Erie shores, Miles and Miles of hoeing bean & corn fields, pulling weeds, picking up rocks and running to get back on Dad’s homemade trailer, hockey in the tunnel and the pond, exploring the first, second, third and fourth ravines, there was an excellent area to walk in our neighbours bush with the cows (Mr Smith’s I think), driving tractors around, our go-karts: one home made and one real one that was pretty fast, picking nuts, cracking nuts, feeding chickens, cleaning chickens, jumping in the haymow of the barn, climbing trees, playing baseball, cleaning the school and going to that one-room public school for years – Mrs Simpson, Mr “Baggy-Pants” Betz, playing “Inny-Anny-Over” any building that we could, playing with our dogs – Blackie (the black dog !) and Brownie (the brown dog!) pretty simply naming conventions! We had a pet raccoon or two, pigs, cows, Chickens and more Chickens. We had to go outside to change the TV aerial if we wanted to watch anything. We had a lot of “hand-me-down” clothes. We didn’t seem to mind doing anything and lots of work and fun were assumed. Thamesville was just as great.
Best of all, we had Great Parents and Fabulous Family to share all the antics and to think up more. And we did.
It was a Long TIme ago, I know. We put on a lot of miles. Mostly good ones. Times sure have changed from those days and yet in some ways, Pat, they have not changed very much. We miss each other. We think about each other. We share what happens with our lives. We are here for each other.
Thinking of You!
Rick
My Deepest Condolences to the Baird Family. I also want to offer a heartfelt Thank You to Hospice House, Kelowna.
Gary, Melissa, Amanda and Gavin,
We’re holding you and your families in our hearts in this tough time.
Dear family, I have a heavy heart and lasting fond memories of Aunt Pat, that I will keep with me forever. Her warm welcoming smiles, her energetic “seize the day” approach to life, will stay with me forever, I remember her getting down on my level as a child to let me know I had her undivided attention when she had thoughts or insight to share. She was so full of life & energy, There is no doubt in my mind that God will be kept busy now that she is one of his Angels. She will be a sadly missed “force” in this world.
Gary, Gavin, Melissa and Amanda…So many fond memories of Pat from back East to out West here. My fav would have to be when my Mom, Aunt Marion and Uncle Bill towed their Airstream trailer from Windsor to Gary and Pat’s house. Lots of family BBQ’S and of course the waterslide that Gary made for the kids and us adults also. Special, special family memories. Rest In Peace Pat, I’ll never forget that beautiful smile of yours.
Sending condolences to Gary and family. Pat was filled with kindness, love of her family, and pure joy of living. I will always hold her in my heart as a beautiful example of how to live a life. I will miss her. John and Judy.
DEAR GARY AND FAMILY:
Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. PAT was one such person.
Such a dear. dear, friend and companion. that when i find myself weeping for what we have lost, i remember that we are weeping for someone who forever blessed our lives with joy… How lucky we are to have all known such a wonderful person. as PAT.. We will forever remember our vacation in Kelowna with Rich & Anna and the laughter and sheer enjoyment we shared.. .Although we grieve, I realize that grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love.
and we surely loved PAT.. “GOOD BYE MY DEAR FRIEND AND GOD BLESS”: us girls will miss you… LOVE CARLA
The news of Pat’s passing is a tremendous loss for us all and even more so for her immediate family. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone especially Gary, Melissa, Gavin, and Amanda. I have heard countless stories of Pat through Andrew as he recants memories of everyone growing up, these are all happy times indeed for him. I remember Pat’s energy and love of life, especially when it came to her family to be second to none. She will be very sorely missed by all.
Dear Gary, I’m so very sorry to hear this news. I will always remember you and Pat inviting the CFIA gang out to your beach for summer parties. Thinking of you and your family in these tough, tough times…
-Carolyn Bekkering
Our sincere condolences on your loss. She was always so energetic and upbeat. She was a pleasure to know.
Gary & family. My condolences for your loss.. I knew Pat from what seems to be a previous lifetime. She was always upbeat, interesting & funny. She brought a lot of good stuff to this world & you can’t do better than that.
Dear Gary, Melissa, Gavin and Amanda:
Pat earned the love and respect of her many friends and her memory will be forever treasured in the hearts of a grieving family.
Gary’s co-workers at CFIA and HPB were witness to the special partnership he shared with Pat.
‘A life well lived’ is a fitting and well deserved tribute.
My deepest condolences to the family. I loved pat she was a friend and inspiration.i will miss her . I enjoyed her humor and grace.her fun Times and her willing to work with me on good steel projects . Keep well dear sleep peacefully. We will see you again .
My sincere condolences to the family. I was a student of Pats and I learned a great deal from her. I always thoroughly appreciated her lab, and during these labs she would always say something which would make me laugh. When I think of how much I loved learning all things surrounding the subject of Chemistry, I always think of Pat. Thinking of you all in these difficult times.
. I send a long comforting virtual hug for when you need it.
Richard
Dear Gary and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences. Martine
Dear Gary, Melissa, Gavin & Amanda
Such beautiful memories you all hold dear to your hearts, she truly did live a vivacious lifestyle.
Though we didn’t have many opportunities to spend time together, Aunt Pat helped Madison to further discover her love of the outdoors and Hailey to become more adventurous. She helped both girls with developing a stronger sense of self, she also encouraged us all to never settle for something and to this day her words still act as a motivator for us all.
Our deepest condolences go out to you and your families.
Gary, Melissa, Gavin, Amanda and the grandchildren,
Pat will be forever missed in our hearts. My condolences to all of you, words cannot describe. The service yesterday said it all, it was touching, loving, classy and heart-felt, like Pat, and she would have been so proud of her children and family. Pat was an amazing woman, sister, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and person. Hold her memories in your heart, as that is what she would want, minimizing your sadness and replacing it with happy memories. As you know, I have been caring for Mom through this, and while extremely difficult, we remember the many, many family get-togethers, growing up events and the smiles, laughter and care that Pat brought to each event. Always mentoring, caring, helping, no matter what the issue, to make life better. She often exceeded everyone’s expectations of an event, with something special. She was a special lady!
Please know, that although at a distance for the funeral, we were there. I sat behind Gary, holding mom’s hand here, for Pat and her family and for myself. She will be missed, but want all of us, to go on with her memory in our hearts, having fun, enjoying family times and making the most of life, like she always did!
Hugs to all, Gisele & Doug McLarty xoxoxo
So sorry to hear this sad news, Gary. Thinking of you and your family.
Our condolences to all the Blain/Baird Family We enjoyed visiting with Pat whenever she came to Ridgetown. Pat would give a glowing update about her family and was so proud of everyone.
Growing up with the Blain family at Clearville was very memorable. We attended the funeral via internet. Pat would be honoured with the funeral service.
Gary and family, my deepest condolences. Thinking of you.
Dear Gary & Family, may we express our deepest condolences at the loss of your wife and mother.
Jay & Maureen Hobbs
Dear Gary and family,
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Although my visit to Kelowna was years back, I remember a beautiful special place loved very much by Pat and the family. My mother has been sharing many wonderful memories of her dear friend. We are thinking of you.
Laura Evans
My deepest sympathies Gary and family.
Dear Gary, Gavin, Melisssa & Amanada,
We are so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. When we think of Pat, we see her welcoming smile and hear her laugh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Gary and Family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. I only knew Pat from our CFIA social gatherings. My impression of her was that she was a friendly f unloving adventurous person. My thoughts and prayers for you during this difficult time. Riella
So very saddened to hear of Pat’s passing. Please know how very sorry we both are.
To the Blain /Baird Families
So Sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Many memories of riding the Ridgetown School bus with Pat and all her siblings. We attended many of the same classes at RDHS. Pat was a great person.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this sad time
Pete and Joan Anderson .