Patricia Ann (Pat) Drinkwater passed away on December 12, 2014 in Kamloops, BC at the age of 90.

Pat is survived by the love of her life, Gordon, her five children, Greg (Judy) of Kamloops, Rick (Peggy) of Kamloops, David (Bonnie) of Nelson, Patti (Mark) of Bellingham, and Susan (Lloyd) of Kamloops, eight grand children, twelve great grand children, as well as many relatives and friends.  Pat was predeceased by her brother Charles (Ted) Spaetgens in 1995.

Pat was born in Pembina N. Dakota to Henry and Louie Spaetgens. Her father was a CNR railroad engineer and she spent most of her childhood in the Winnipeg area. In 1945 Pat went to Nursing school at Royal Inland Hospital, where she graduated as an RN in 1947. In 1949, she took post-graduate training in New York to become an Operating Room nurse; it was there that she spent the remainder of her career. She was highly respected by her peers and doctors alike.

The family’s summers were spent at Shuswap Lake and winters on the area’s ski slopes. Pat managed it all with precision, including her career and five children. She was an amazing seamstress, cook, and a voracious reader. She kept a beautiful home and was always tackling home improvement projects. As the children got older, Pat and Gordon travelled the world. She loved spending time with her family; the most recent gathering being their 64^th wedding anniversary on June 17^th.

Pat was the consummate planner and had planned on living to 100, until she was diagnosed with Kidney Disease.  She passed away peacefully in the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice where an amazing group of nurses and volunteers cared for her. We will be forever grateful to them, as well as Dr. Sigalet, Dr. Farren and Dr. Conley.

At Pat’s request, there will be no service; a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Please take a moment to remember her and how she touched your life. If you care to, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to Kamloops Hospice Association.