Margaret Patricia Park

Margaret Patricia Park (Pat Park) passed away peacefully on July 26th, 2022, at Shuswap Lake General Hospital.

Mom was born on April 27, 1933, in Bassano Alberta and grew up as “Pat MacLeod” with her parents, Dan and May, and her older sister Donna.  Mom often recounted how she envied her glamorous older sister’s ability to go to dances before she herself was allowed.  More than seventy years later and mom could still laugh at her indignation at being left behind.

Mom would want to be sure I wrote about her winning the “best baby in show” when she was three and that she sang in the “Melody Maids”.  She might want me to skip over the stories of smoking in high school and dying her hair bright red.

After graduating from high school, mom worked as a secretary for several years.  While working at the R.C.M.P. my mother met my father James (Jim) Park and she stopped being quite so obsessed with dances. Mom told me that upon meeting dad, his good looks necessitated perusing his personnel file to see if he had any inheritance listed.  Fortunately, the lack of an inheritance did not prohibit dating and eventual marriage.

My sister and I were born while mom and dad lived in Penticton.  They then moved to Calgary for several years prior to settling in Salmon Arm.  In Salmon Arm, mom returned to secretarial work with the School District, starting as a school secretary at South Canoe then quickly transitioned to the School Board Office.  Mom always said she was hired at the School Board as she was the only one they could find who knew shorthand.  If so, they would eventually appreciate her for more than her ability to take dictation.

Mom loved her job at the School District and eventually moved from secretarial/administrative assistant work to being Personnel Officer.  People remember mom as being both kind and professional.  Mom was a “people person” and never lost the joy of running into people she knew from the School District, her second family. Those who knew her best will remember mom’s wit and sense of humor.

At some point, a pre-inked stamp printed with foreign script (perhaps kanji) came into mom’s possession.  Without having any idea what it said, mom decided to use it as required at work.  She would solidly ink it on papers that she found particularly irksome.  I know some were in on the joke, others were undoubtedly left wondering.

Not one for recounting jokes or long stories, mom had an ability to deliver one line commentary and comebacks that were hilarious.  Mom had a keen observation of the absurdities in life, an ability to connect disparate ideas and a willingness to interject and believe others would also see humor where she did. 

Very occasionally my dad would use his ham radio to connect my mom to friends or family (in the era of long-distance charges this was no small thing).  The communication was one way and if sending, you could not also receive at the same time (and vice versa).  Regardless of numerous reminders, my mom could not stop interjecting humorous one-liners as communication was incoming, totally lost on the other party.  I remember my mom laughing hysterically at her own jokes and my dad fit to be tied, repeating “they can’t hear you, you can’t interrupt them”.

In July while in the hospital in Vernon, mom expressed concern about how she would get back to Salmon Arm.  After being reassured, her response was “oh good, I don’t have to hitchhike then”.  This was followed by a pause while she waited for my laughter.  When mom had a quip or comment that she found particularly funny, the pause would disappear and she would laugh immediately, unable to keep a straight face.  I will miss that so much.

Mom’s humor was her armour and she used it unflinchingly when life became difficult.  However, it was also her invitation to connect, and to find joy in life.

The last few years were more challenging for mom, struggles with medical issues, moving to Shuswap Lodge with my dad’s admission to extended care, and then my dad’s passing this past October.

However, mom managed to retain her sense of humor.  She enjoyed Shuswap Lodge and remained happy she had moved there.  Even with the restrictions of the pandemic, the lodge became a place mom felt she “belonged”, a third family of sorts.

Particularly important to mom in the past few years were “coffee klatch” members, June Bonthuis and Marilyn Sutherland.  Bert Revel also remained an important friend.  Mom often talked on the phone with her sister Donna Buchanan and remained in touch with her cousin Bev Fowler.

Mom is survived by her two daughters and their families: Nancy (Dion, Chris, and Mike) and Donna (Rod, Ben, and Leah).

By mom’s request there will be no memorial.  A wake would have had her approval, casual dress, but costumes preferred, copious amounts of scones and shortbread, dancing mandatory.  Every musical request granted…  provided they were songs by Tom Jones or Engelbert Humperdinck.  There would have been a free bar…but it would only serve Rum and Coke.  No mourning, no tears, but a lot of laughter.

Fond memories or funny stories were, and continue to be, appreciated.

Donna