Obituary of Patricia WAITE

It is with sadness that the children of Pat Waite announce her passing. Pat was pre-deceased by the Honourable Justice John (Jack) Waite to whom she was married from 1954 until his death in 2006. Pat is survived by her children Rory (Wendy), Riley (Erin), Megan (Bart), Tyrone (Jennifer), and Sean (Jessica), as well as her brothers, Robert Riley of Calgary and Charles Riley of Banff. Pat took great delight in her grandchildren: Nolan, Aidan, and Delaney; Lucas and Justin; Emma; and Dash. From her love of cats, Christmas, choir singing, painting, musical theatre, Native story-telling, pow wows, the Calgary Stampede, trail riding, gardening, and Native jewelry, Pat was always interesting and possessed a joie de vivre that remained with her throughout her life. Born in Regina, Pat grew up in Calgary with summers spent at a family cottage in Banff. Pat graduated from the University of Toronto, which was her parents’ alma mater and where she met Jack. Returning to Calgary, Pat and Jack raised their family in Elbow Park. Pat’s dedication to Native issues was honoured by being named Chief of Calgary’s urban aboriginal population in 1987. She wore the title “Chief Pat” proudly, just as she wore her beautiful hide ceremonial outfits whenever she had the opportunity. Much of Pat’s life and passions are captured in the Glenbow Museum archive of her papers. The broad range of interests and memberships included the Canadian Federation of University Women (of which Pat’s mother was also a member), Calgary Knights of the Round Table, Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies and many, many associations with First Nations and First Nations youth groups, including as a founder of the Calgary Native Friendship Society. Pat was truly a woman who marched to her own drummer. Her children have hours and hours of stories to share with her grandchildren. A service to celebrate her life will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home, 1708 16th Avenue NW, at 2 pm on Monday, December 23. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, 5000-11 St SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2H-2Y5. HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICES “Heritage Funeral Home” Telephone: 299-0100