PATRICIA ANNE CHAPMAN

On August 2, 2025 Pat passed away in comfort and without pain at her home for the last 10+ years, ExtendiCare Tuxedo Villa.

Pat was the first of five children born to Pat and Paul Ryzowski in the north end of Winnipeg. Following three years behind, was our brother Richard (Dick), three years later our brother William (Bill) was born followed by our sister Gloria three years after that. I (Susan) was born nine years later.

Pat is predeceased by our parents; grandparents; and siblings, Dick, Bill, and Gloria. Pat will be reunited with them as well as her second husband George McTaggart and every dog she ever loved.

Pat is very missed by her husband Edwin; sister Susan Rogers; brother-in-law Gerry; sisters-in-law, Barbara Ryzowski and Bernice Ryzowski. Pat leaves to remember her, her nephews and nieces, Travis Lethbridge (Tracy), Keith Ryzowski (Yi), Jodi Ryzowski (Alain) and Ed Ryzowski (Nanci); as well as great niece Meghan Lythgoe-Lethbridge. Pat is missed tremendously by her favourite “service” dog, River who loved accompanying her on walks to Assiniboine Park. Pat also has two children and four grandchildren who chose to have no contact with her over the last 10 years. Their names do not matter.

When Pat started elementary school she did so at a slight disadvantage, she was fluent in Ukrainian not English. You see, the family lived next door to our grandparents who only spoke Ukrainian and Pat spent lots of time with them. Pat soon mastered English as well so she completed her education with high marks.

Pat began her work life as a clerk for our Dad at Western Tool. It didn’t take long for Pat to realize that working for her father wasn’t the best idea so she left her position. Pat found a clerical position at NEFCO, (North End Furniture Company). It was while walking down Main St. to work that Pat met her first husband.

Pat married her first husband in 1961 and moved to Thompson MB right at the start of the nickel mining boom at INCO. They stayed there for several years, working and raising their family. Once the kids were older Pat stepped back into the working world. Pat worked as the Library Resource Specialist at R.D. Parker Collegiate. This is where her interest in politics began. She became a school trustee for Mystery Lake School Division and quickly found herself chosen as Chairperson of the Mystery Lake School Board. Pat revelled in that atmosphere, she had found her niche.

After Pat’s husband was given the “golden handshake” by INCO, the family decided to try their hand at being small business owners in a tiny hamlet called Fork River MB. They owned the general store and it wasn’t long before Pat was bored senseless with jam pail curling and bingo. Pat was afraid her brain might turn to oatmeal from lack of being challenged. She insisted they move to Winnipeg where she could get a job that required her to think. Her husband didn’t want to move and that was the beginning of the end of their not very happy marriage.

Very soon after moving back to Winnipeg, Pat was hired as the Executive Assistant to the owners of the Mall Hotel. She loved that job, but soon realized that the staff were not being paid equitably nor did they have benefits. Pat organized the staff and brought them under the CUPE umbrella. While doing this Pat met George McTaggart, a CUPE staff rep and the man who would become her second husband.

Pat and George married in June 1989 and led very busy work and social lives. When the hotel was sold, Pat began working for the City of Winnipeg. Pat held several different positions there, the last and most challenging being as an Intake worker for City of Winnipeg Social Services. During her time with the city Pat was elected as a school trustee in Wpg 1 School Division.

Once both Pat and George retired they took a seasonal camping spot at Wildwood Park in Winnipeg Beach. They made many good friends and truly enjoyed their time there.

George passed away in 2007 and Pat moved to Winnipeg Beach for a short time before coming back to Winnipeg to be closer to family.

Pat lived happily and independently until 2015 when Pat experienced a slight decline in her health which led to her becoming a resident at ExtendiCare Tuxedo Villa. This is where Pat met her third husband, Edwin Chapman.

Pat and Ed married on September 29, 2018. Their marriage was one of companionship and of them telling each other stories of when they were young. Within a few years Pat’s dementia slowly took away the essence of the woman she was. It truly was a long and sad goodbye.

I wish to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all the staff of Station 2 for gently caring for Pat. I know it wasn’t always easy. Pat could be feisty and you have the scratches to prove it.

My thanks to Dr. DeMeuller for tending to Pat as her condition worsened and for always answering my questions and listening to my concerns.

My most heartfelt thanks and love go to nurse Lindsay who went well above and beyond expectations to care for Pat so lovingly even when Pat wasn’t her patient. Lindsay, you saved my sanity countless times and I’m so grateful to call you my friend. Thank you Melvin for your gentle care of Pat during her last hours.

Thank you to the Health Care Aids for the very hard work they did to ensure that Pat was always clean and comfortable and treated with dignity and respect. Special thanks to Eileen, Barry and Lucie. Pat trusted you to help her when she was most vulnerable.

I know I have missed people and forgotten names, and for that I am very sorry. You are all very much appreciated for everything you did for Pat.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life is being held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at the First Universal Unitarian Church, 603 Wellington Crescent.

Pat’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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