Patricia Anne Benoit, age 70, of Winnipeg, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022 at St. Boniface Hospital with family by her side.

 

The oldest of six girls, Pat was born in Winnipeg on August 22, 1952 to Alan and Betty (née Mackie) Masson. A 1970 graduate of Glenlawn Collegiate, she went on to become a legal secretary. Shortly after, she met the love of her life, Bruce Benoit, at a community dance. Pat and Bruce were married on July 26th, 1974 and in 1978 had their first-born child, Leah. Three years later, they had their second child, Kristy, and their family was complete.

Pat was faced with numerous challenges in her life, but never let them hold her down for long. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 31 and widowed at the age of 43 when Bruce tragically passed to cancer, she managed to overcome every obstacle life threw at her. Not only did she manage to raise two teenage girls as a single mother with a debilitating disease, she did so with grace, laughter, and dignity. She was an exceptionally social person with a ready smile for everyone she met. Her daughters lovingly referred to her house as a zoo because of the constant buzz of phones and doorbells ringing and visitors stopping by. The fact that she remained close friends with people she met at every stage of her life is a testament to her kind, fun, and loving personality. People were drawn to her because of her sunshine, positive demeanor, and zest for life. She loved to travel and did so extensively with various friends and family members. She found joy in seeing new things, exploring new places, and was never one to turn down any adventure, no matter how big or how small.

 

Pat’s greatest pride was her family. She loved nothing more than to spend time with her daughters, their husbands, and her grandchildren. She had an extra sparkle in her bright blue eyes anytime she was around Shea, Payton, Charlie, or Audrey. It didn’t matter if she was watching their many sporting events, going to movies or the theater, sitting around playing board games or cards, or simply chatting on FaceTime, she was content to be involved. She had a hand in creating so many special memories for her family and was loved beyond measure by each of them. She will be missed more than words could ever express.

 

Pat leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and resilience that will be carried on by those who were lucky enough to know her. She leaves to mourn her passing her two daughters, Leah Benoit (Matt Rollason) and Kristy (John) Fitzgerald; four grandchildren, Shea and Payton Rollason and Charlie and Audrey Fitzgerald; five sisters Gaylene (Bob) Brett, Shannon (Chris) Peake, Shelley Masson (Charlie Brown), Laurel (Leonard) Sidon, and Alison Masson (Joe Lasko); and many nieces, nephews, brothers- and sister-in-laws, and countless friends.  She was predeceased by her loving husband, Bruce Benoit, and her parents, Alan and Betty Masson.

 

A celebration of life will take place at 603 Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg at 2 pm on Monday, October 24th, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Manitoba Possible.

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Patricia's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.