Patricia Jean Murray was born in Chilliwack, BC, on May 22, 1937. At the age of 15, she found herself working at the lodge in Squam Bay, where she met and fell in love with Frank (Ink) Fraser. They married shortly thereafter and remained married until Dad’s death in 2021, spanning over sixty years. Mom had 3 children – Murray, Colleen, and the youngest, Bill.

Mom was blessed with five grandchildren: Carson, Colleen, and Brian, as well as Lucas and Brittany from my side. Additionally, she was blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Anika-lee, Jaycen, Cianna, Brendan, Jaeda, Kingston, Kira, Taylor, Carter, and Deklyn. What a wonderful legacy she has left!

Patricia Jean Fraser was a strong woman who led a difficult life very successfully. Mom and Dad skidded poles at Adams Lake for a summer to earn enough money to make a down payment on their first house at Crescent Beach. Mom moved to Adams Lake in 1962, and Mom and Dad built their house there in 1964. Mom raised us kids there, grandkids there, and great-grandchildren.

Many will know of Mom and her cooking; she fed many people. My siblings and I always had good food; Mom baked bread, pies, and cinnamon buns. Mom was very skilled at cooking wild meat, of which Dad always kept the freezer full. The smells of bread and cinnamon were usually the first thing that greeted people when they arrived in the yard.

Mom triumphed over adversity through her family, friends, and church. When a neighbor became very sick and needed dialysis, she said, “no problem, I will help you,” and she became a dialysis technician and assisted until Barb got a kidney transplant. She even became a board member for the Kidney Foundation in Kamloops.

Mom got tired of hearing Dad and I talk flying, and said she could fly also. She became a pilot, purchased an aircraft (150 Cessna – CF-VDT), and became a founding member of The Rocky Mountain Black Sheep Squadron of the 99s (an international association of female pioneer pilots). She attended fly-ins and conferences as far away as Alaska and did survival training in Idaho.

Pat (Mom) was a remarkably resilient person, hardworking, and loving. She was a person of great strength and loyalty to her family; she would say “intestinal fortitude.” Above all, Mom believed in family and children. She always said, “I love you muchly.”

Those are words of wisdom that I will always cherish: “Love your family and friends muchly.”

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com