Patricia Fletcher

Patricia Askew was born in New Westminster, BC. She was the youngest of four children: sisters Marion and Greta, and her brother Allan. The whole family spent their summers at their beautiful beachfront house in White Rock, where Pat learned to swim at age 2. Pat was a swimming instructor, lifeguard, and synchronized swimming coach at the YMCA in New Westminster. She married William Fletcher in 1945 and they lived in East Vancouver then moved to Coquitlam for 33 years. They moved to Kelowna in 1994 and “Nan” was a huge help in raising her grandkids. While supporting the grandkids in their competitive sports she could often be heard yelling at the referees. Their teammates loved her and became her friends.

Pat’s greatest love was her family. She was so loving, generous, and protective of us all. She will be greatly missed by her three daughters, Carla Fletcher, Maridee Skidmore, and Sherry Bradley (Norm), as well as her grandchildren, Nathan Skidmore, Cory Skidmore, Ashley Bedwell-Ross (James), and Courtney Bedwell plus her great-granddaughter, Kirsten, great-grandson Patrick, and her great-great-granddaughter Anastasia. She also had two nieces, Maureen and Jean, a nephew Ken and her special nephew Tom Drake (Sally). Tom’s 3 sons, Stephen, Jono, and Adam adored her.

Nan was a real firecracker, a feisty go-getter. She had a wonderful sassy sense of humor, loved animals, traveling, adventures, singing old standards, and jiving to Glenn Miller. She swam until she was 98. She rented a houseboat on her 90th birthday and jumped off the top; she swam a synchro routine on her 95th birthday. At 96 she was featured on the jumbotron as the Canucks oldest and most faithful fan. Mom celebrated her 100th birthday with family and so many friends from Peachland and Kelowna.

We will never forget some of her favorite phrases, “Buck up Lady Jane,” “Take your Apple Cider Vinegar,” “Just give me a tad,” “Get off your high horse,” and “Toodle-loo!” We know that her dog, Teddy, our dad, baby Weston Ross, and the rest of her family have greeted her and that she will love being our guide from “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

“Toodle-loo” to an extraordinary and inspirational woman. We would like to thank the staff at Cottonwoods and Hospice House (especially nurse Emma) for their compassion and support during this challenging time for us.