Floreen "Pat" Patricia (Foster) Finlayson

Pat was born on February 18, 1933, to Clifford and Ellen (nee Cunningham) Foster, in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan, the third youngest of seven children. She obtained all of her education in Quill Lake, except for grade 12 which was taken at Canadian Union College in Lacombe, Alberta.

Some experiences Pat enjoyed as a young girl were: riding her pony cart down to the train station to pick up milk deliveries for her father’s store, which she enjoyed working at, skating, and dancing her heart out at the High School dances. The older ladies in town would tell her that they came just to watch her dance.

Pat married Douglas Clark Finlayson on October 21, 1951. From this union, they were blessed with 6 children. Her life was busy taking care of children (especially 3 mischievous, energetic little boys – which is a story within itself) and milking many cows (we kids had the benefits of all the cream Mom separated – apple snow and the cream puffs!). She fed turkeys, picked stones, grew large gardens, and canned hundreds of jars of fruit and vegetables. Especially at harvest time, soup and corn on the cob were served by the canner and filled her many kids and hired men. From 1979 – 1980 Pat did the books at the Gulf Station that Doug had purchased. For a few summers, Pat was the pastry chef at Tobin Lake Resort. She said she made 384 pies one summer. Fishermen that came to the Resort commented that they heard about her sour cream rhubarb pies and just had to have some.      

Pat was a faithful and active member at her church. She taught the Sabbath School lesson to the children and adult classes, helped with the annual Ingathering Campaign, sang solos and sang in the choir at Centennial Lodge in Watson, at Carol Festivals, at the monthly Hymn sing in Quill Lake, to which she faithfully extended invitations, and at the wedding of Henry & Esther Gallant, one of her honorary pallbearers with us today. When Foster was an infant, they went to San Francisco Youth Conference along with Robert & Flossie, and some friends. They enjoyed an extensive vacation with Mike & Hellen Humenny and Bill & Vida Tkachenko, travelling to California, Utah, Nevada, and Mexico. When Doug worked for Pioneer Life they went to Scotland and England. Along with Orton & Jessie Anderson, they made their way to Alaska. For many years, some of the winter months were spent in Victoria helping Preston and Selene with carpentry and babysitting. Pat loved seeing all the daffodils and tulips in the springtime there. In 2011, when Patti retired from teaching, Pat and Doug travelled with them from Victoria (after Trina and Lukas’ wedding), to see the Red Woods and San Francisco, visit their friends Ralph & Sandy, and to see the majestic beauty of Yellowstone National Park. The last vacation Pat enjoyed with Doug was a trip to the Maritimes with Ken & Robbi. Pat enjoyed her time with them as well in Los Cabos, Mexico for Stefanie and Cris’s wedding, and a trip to Oregon for the wedding of Ashley & Zac. Summers at Marean Lake with all their kids and grandkids, and quiet times fishing with Doug made the best of memories. Pat was a committed Christian but her faith and strength were tested these last couple years when she was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2019. But she fought the battle and had peace in her final days.
 

Pat’s humour, faithfulness, and calm, stoic and loving personality will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her 6 children, their spouses, 19 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren.
Foster (Lois) Finlayson and family: Nicole (Mark) Lemstra and children Kelli and Makenna,  Darla (Rob) Cuell and children Austin, Kingston, and Emmerson, Tyrall (Sheila) Finlayson and children Madison, Denali, Damon, and Briar,  and Sheila (Lane) Lavoie and children Clara and Harlan;  
Patti (Ron) Hetland and family: Rona (Ricardo) Ribeiro and children Kelli and Makenna, Lindsay (Richard) Boscher and children Kadence and Brooke, and Drew (Kayla) Hetland and children Luke and Clark;      
Robbi (Ken) Erickson and family: Stefanie (Cris) Simmons and daughter Camille, Ashley (Zak) Moleschi and children Maddox, Hudson, and Kenley, and Landon Erickson;        
Preston (Selene) Finlayson and family: Tanice Waawchuk and son Arthur, Seth Finlayson (fiancé Maya Kamrun), and Trina (Lukas) Bonnett and children Georgia and Beau;    
Clifford Finlayson and family: Dillan (Sydney) Finlayson,  Savana Finlayson, and Tessaka Finlayson;             
Sheldon (Lynnice) Finlayson and family: Stefan (Kimberly) Finlayson and children Gracie and Nixon,  Kylie Finlayson and Jordi Finlayson;        
brothers-in-law: Bill Piett of Erickson, MB and Orton Anderson of Brandon, MB;
sisters-in-law: Jean (Finlayson) Donesky of Bracebridge, ON and Norma Foster of Saskatoon, SK. 

Pat was predeceased by her parents Cliff and Ellen Foster; sisters Muriel (Norman) Graham and Ethel (Robert) Govan; brother Cliff (Phylis); sister Leila Piett; sister Jessie Anderson; brother Gordon; sister-in-law Myrna Braden (Foster); father-in-law Robert Finlayson; brothers-in-law Bill Finlayson and Don Donesky; nieces Cheryl Govan, Brenda Piett, Susan Anderson, and Nancy Anderson; and nephews Brian Govan, Brian Finlayson, Ron Berndt, and Brent Anderson.               

A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. from Quill Lake Community Legion Hall in Quill Lake, SK, officiated by Pastor Ron Marshall. Interment followed in the Quill Lake Cemetery. Memorial donations in Pat’s name may be directed to Quill Lake Cemetery Fund or Quill Lake Senior Centre.