February 17
February 17
As it is the 10th Anniversary of Pat's passing, I added a note to the main section of her memorial page. I love you mom! Please feel free to share your stories of mom, on the stories tab or in this tribute section.
February 17, 2024
It is the 10th Anniversary of Mom’s passing. We mark the passing of time by the events that have happened with the people we love. Over this past decade there have been so many events that I have missed sharing with you, mom. Claude’s graduation from high school and his acceptance to Vassar College, Kate’s post doc at Rockefeller University in NYC and her appointment as a professor at the University of Toronto, Alicia now in high school and more than halfway to graduation. These are some of the big events, but there have been so many small moments when I think about how you would have reacted and how much you would have laughed or said, “isn’t that something.” I know that you would have been so proud of your grandchildren and happy to have been a part of their successes and celebrations. There are always difficult times in families, and we certainly had our share of those, but as you get older you realize that tough times are inevitable. The challenges are part of the story of a family, but not the whole story. The hard times we experienced didn’t go away, but they become only part of the story, which started with your parents (and their parents and so on) and have continued through your grandchildren. When I think about our family story now, I remember the challenges you overcame and how much you loved us through the easy and the hard times. I wish you had been with us longer to share in the successes of your grandchildren and to experience the sweetness, beauty and the inevitable difficult times that are the continuation of our story.
I love and miss you mom.
______________________________________________________________
February 17, 2020
We decided to have a "Pat" dinner last night in Mom's honor. We had a lovely dinner - just what Mom would have loved. We had chocolate cake for dessert, which was one of Mom's favorites. It was amazing and Mom would have loved it! February has become a time for Mom memories for me. It has become part of the rhythm of our lives now. I love that everyone participates in this memory fest in their own way. Special thanks to Paul who every year knows that February is the time to dust off the Pat stories so that we can share them. I love you mom.
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February 17, 2019
It is hard to believe that it has been five years since you passed. We think of you often and tell a lot of Pat stories. This morning Paul and I spent some time reminiscing about some very sweet memories we had of you when we celebrated Kate's college graduation on your deck. I am so grateful that you moved to Seattle and that we all got to spend time together. I love you and miss you very much.
________________________________________________________
February 18, 2017
Missing you today Mom. You wouldn't have liked the winters in Toronto, but it would have been fun to spend more time with you in Palm Springs. The trip you took with us to Palm Springs - our last Christmas together - was so special. You had such a good time and loved being out in the sun. I love the picture of you with your walker strolling through the neighborhood. It's a nice memory to have whenever we are in Palm Springs.
Love you Mom.
_______________________________________________________________
February 12, 2017
I know it's a little early, but I recently looked through pictures my dad had in storage and I found several old slides - many from Mom's 20's and 30's. I know some of you knew her then, but I had only heard stories about her early days in Chicago and visiting her parents in Michigan. Mom is so young and optimistic in many of these pictures. It made me happy and sad.
Love you mom.
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February 17, 2016
It is hard to believe that two years have gone by since mom passed away. I still think of her every day. Usually something reminds me of a conversation that we had or I think to myself – I should give her a call and then I remember. I know this is a common experience for people who have had a loved one pass.
This past year has been tough. My mother’s brother, Richard Orlikoff passed away in December. He was 92! Richard was my mom’s only sibling so that generation of Orlikoffs is gone. My dad, John Gagnon, also passed away this month (February 11) so it is the end of an era.
We had a Bat Mitzvah for Charlotte (now going by "Char") in October and I think mom would have been so impressed with her grand daughter. My mom always loved Char’s voice and Char did a beautiful job of chanting Torah during the service. Mom wasn’t religious, but as an adult she identified herself as Jewish. Although the Orlikoffs were Jewish, mom’s mother, Blanche, described herself as Catholic when my mom was growing up. My mom didn’t realize she was Jewish until someone referred to her using an ethnic slur when she was about nine years old. She went home and asked her mother what that word meant and found out she was Jewish. On the topic of being Jewish, I have a great story about the Orlikoffs coming to Michigan, that I got from Richard Orlikoff. We included it in Char’s Bat Mitzvah program and I have included it in the stories section.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to mom's memorial site over the past two years. Please continue to contribute, or just come by and visit. Tonight when we have dinner we will raise our wine glasses and remember mom.
Love,
Andree and Chris
__________________________________________________________
February 17, 2015
Hello everyone. Today is the first anniversary of mom’s passing. I know many of you have experienced this already in your own lives. The first year feels very big. It is a year of firsts. For the first time you have gone through all of the birthdays and holidays without your mom. (More often than not, I still get the nagging feeling that I need to call her.) At each of these events, we tell “mom” stories. As you all know, Mom lived her life her way. She was funny -- remember that dry sense of humor -- and of course was willing to say almost anything to make her point. It’s funny how I cherish telling the stories even when the actual moment was fraught with all of that family stuff. There was only one Pat Gagnon.
I am spending the week in Palm Springs. Mom visited only once. It was our last Christmas together and about seven weeks before she passed. She loved it. It was one of the happiest trips we all took together. The picture of her walking outside with her walker with her hat and sun glasses was taken near our place in Palm Springs. She had both of her children with her and their families. And she took a walk with us every day. It was a lovely time and I am so grateful we had that.
Thanks again for all of your kind words and thoughts throughout this first big year. Please keep in touch.
Love,
Andree and Chris
_____________________________________________________________
Mom passed away peacefully on February 17, 2014 at about 10:45pm with her children Andree (me) and Christopher at her side. Just a couple of hours earlier her grandchildren and Nun and Paul, our spouses, had said their goodbyes for the evening. In retrospect it seems odd but we all were surprised by her passing so quickly. Just a couple of weeks earlier we had learned that she had stage four lung cancer and while we knew there was nothing we could do about it, we had expected more time. Her passing was peaceful and comfortable, for which we are both grateful, but we felt she left us too soon.
Just seven months earlier. Mom had finally agreed to leave her home on Long Island and make the move to Seattle to be with her family. In those seven months she joined the Elderwise program, which is a senior program that provides an opportunity for older adults to interact with others and engage in creative activities. It was developed and run by social workers, and mom with her own roots in social work responded well to the Elderwise program. In a short time she grew to love that community and even started painting. We all have regrets when our loved ones die, but one of my regrets is that she didn’t have more time to participate in this community. In my experience it is rare for people to expand their horizons in their later years but mom had that opportunity, even if it was for a short time.
Mom was a fiercely independent person. She graduated in 1952 with a BS in Social Administration from Ohio State University and received her Masters of Social Work in 1972 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She loved her career as a social worker and a psychotherapist and was in private practice for 30 years in Port Jefferson, NY. She also provided mental health services through Suffolk County. She was dedicated to helping people and over the years I have met many people who have expressed their gratitude for mom’s support. It wasn’t uncommon for people to tell me she had changed their lives.
In her last months mom didn’t want to talk much on the phone but she spoke frequently of her friends over the years. We would love to hear your stories about mom. Mom didn’t talk a lot about her history or tell many family stories. I did learn that when she was a teenager her father took her with him when he went to play cards. It involved crossing state lines and going to a little gin joint. I am not sure if she was brought along as a driver, or as a cover story, but it would be great to hear stories about her days long ago and not so long ago. We invite you to add your memories by clicking on the “Stories” tab. You can also add photos and videos by clicking on the “Gallery” tab. If you would like to register on this site you will receive updates when others add new elements to her memorial.
It is the 10th Anniversary of Mom’s passing. We mark the passing of time by the events that have happened with the people we love. Over this past decade there have been so many events that I have missed sharing with you, mom. Claude’s graduation from high school and his acceptance to Vassar College, Kate’s post doc at Rockefeller University in NYC and her appointment as a professor at the University of Toronto, Alicia now in high school and more than halfway to graduation. These are some of the big events, but there have been so many small moments when I think about how you would have reacted and how much you would have laughed or said, “isn’t that something.” I know that you would have been so proud of your grandchildren and happy to have been a part of their successes and celebrations. There are always difficult times in families, and we certainly had our share of those, but as you get older you realize that tough times are inevitable. The challenges are part of the story of a family, but not the whole story. The hard times we experienced didn’t go away, but they become only part of the story, which started with your parents (and their parents and so on) and have continued through your grandchildren. When I think about our family story now, I remember the challenges you overcame and how much you loved us through the easy and the hard times. I wish you had been with us longer to share in the successes of your grandchildren and to experience the sweetness, beauty and the inevitable difficult times that are the continuation of our story.
I love and miss you mom.
______________________________________________________________
February 17, 2020
We decided to have a "Pat" dinner last night in Mom's honor. We had a lovely dinner - just what Mom would have loved. We had chocolate cake for dessert, which was one of Mom's favorites. It was amazing and Mom would have loved it! February has become a time for Mom memories for me. It has become part of the rhythm of our lives now. I love that everyone participates in this memory fest in their own way. Special thanks to Paul who every year knows that February is the time to dust off the Pat stories so that we can share them. I love you mom.
______________________________________________________________
February 17, 2019
It is hard to believe that it has been five years since you passed. We think of you often and tell a lot of Pat stories. This morning Paul and I spent some time reminiscing about some very sweet memories we had of you when we celebrated Kate's college graduation on your deck. I am so grateful that you moved to Seattle and that we all got to spend time together. I love you and miss you very much.
________________________________________________________
February 18, 2017
Missing you today Mom. You wouldn't have liked the winters in Toronto, but it would have been fun to spend more time with you in Palm Springs. The trip you took with us to Palm Springs - our last Christmas together - was so special. You had such a good time and loved being out in the sun. I love the picture of you with your walker strolling through the neighborhood. It's a nice memory to have whenever we are in Palm Springs.
Love you Mom.
_______________________________________________________________
February 12, 2017
I know it's a little early, but I recently looked through pictures my dad had in storage and I found several old slides - many from Mom's 20's and 30's. I know some of you knew her then, but I had only heard stories about her early days in Chicago and visiting her parents in Michigan. Mom is so young and optimistic in many of these pictures. It made me happy and sad.
Love you mom.
______________________________________________________________
February 17, 2016
It is hard to believe that two years have gone by since mom passed away. I still think of her every day. Usually something reminds me of a conversation that we had or I think to myself – I should give her a call and then I remember. I know this is a common experience for people who have had a loved one pass.
This past year has been tough. My mother’s brother, Richard Orlikoff passed away in December. He was 92! Richard was my mom’s only sibling so that generation of Orlikoffs is gone. My dad, John Gagnon, also passed away this month (February 11) so it is the end of an era.
We had a Bat Mitzvah for Charlotte (now going by "Char") in October and I think mom would have been so impressed with her grand daughter. My mom always loved Char’s voice and Char did a beautiful job of chanting Torah during the service. Mom wasn’t religious, but as an adult she identified herself as Jewish. Although the Orlikoffs were Jewish, mom’s mother, Blanche, described herself as Catholic when my mom was growing up. My mom didn’t realize she was Jewish until someone referred to her using an ethnic slur when she was about nine years old. She went home and asked her mother what that word meant and found out she was Jewish. On the topic of being Jewish, I have a great story about the Orlikoffs coming to Michigan, that I got from Richard Orlikoff. We included it in Char’s Bat Mitzvah program and I have included it in the stories section.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to mom's memorial site over the past two years. Please continue to contribute, or just come by and visit. Tonight when we have dinner we will raise our wine glasses and remember mom.
Love,
Andree and Chris
__________________________________________________________
February 17, 2015
Hello everyone. Today is the first anniversary of mom’s passing. I know many of you have experienced this already in your own lives. The first year feels very big. It is a year of firsts. For the first time you have gone through all of the birthdays and holidays without your mom. (More often than not, I still get the nagging feeling that I need to call her.) At each of these events, we tell “mom” stories. As you all know, Mom lived her life her way. She was funny -- remember that dry sense of humor -- and of course was willing to say almost anything to make her point. It’s funny how I cherish telling the stories even when the actual moment was fraught with all of that family stuff. There was only one Pat Gagnon.
I am spending the week in Palm Springs. Mom visited only once. It was our last Christmas together and about seven weeks before she passed. She loved it. It was one of the happiest trips we all took together. The picture of her walking outside with her walker with her hat and sun glasses was taken near our place in Palm Springs. She had both of her children with her and their families. And she took a walk with us every day. It was a lovely time and I am so grateful we had that.
Thanks again for all of your kind words and thoughts throughout this first big year. Please keep in touch.
Love,
Andree and Chris
_____________________________________________________________
Mom passed away peacefully on February 17, 2014 at about 10:45pm with her children Andree (me) and Christopher at her side. Just a couple of hours earlier her grandchildren and Nun and Paul, our spouses, had said their goodbyes for the evening. In retrospect it seems odd but we all were surprised by her passing so quickly. Just a couple of weeks earlier we had learned that she had stage four lung cancer and while we knew there was nothing we could do about it, we had expected more time. Her passing was peaceful and comfortable, for which we are both grateful, but we felt she left us too soon.
Just seven months earlier. Mom had finally agreed to leave her home on Long Island and make the move to Seattle to be with her family. In those seven months she joined the Elderwise program, which is a senior program that provides an opportunity for older adults to interact with others and engage in creative activities. It was developed and run by social workers, and mom with her own roots in social work responded well to the Elderwise program. In a short time she grew to love that community and even started painting. We all have regrets when our loved ones die, but one of my regrets is that she didn’t have more time to participate in this community. In my experience it is rare for people to expand their horizons in their later years but mom had that opportunity, even if it was for a short time.
Mom was a fiercely independent person. She graduated in 1952 with a BS in Social Administration from Ohio State University and received her Masters of Social Work in 1972 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She loved her career as a social worker and a psychotherapist and was in private practice for 30 years in Port Jefferson, NY. She also provided mental health services through Suffolk County. She was dedicated to helping people and over the years I have met many people who have expressed their gratitude for mom’s support. It wasn’t uncommon for people to tell me she had changed their lives.
In her last months mom didn’t want to talk much on the phone but she spoke frequently of her friends over the years. We would love to hear your stories about mom. Mom didn’t talk a lot about her history or tell many family stories. I did learn that when she was a teenager her father took her with him when he went to play cards. It involved crossing state lines and going to a little gin joint. I am not sure if she was brought along as a driver, or as a cover story, but it would be great to hear stories about her days long ago and not so long ago. We invite you to add your memories by clicking on the “Stories” tab. You can also add photos and videos by clicking on the “Gallery” tab. If you would like to register on this site you will receive updates when others add new elements to her memorial.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
December 18, 2023
December 18, 2023
Happy Birthday, Mom! I am really missing you today. I wish we were able to celebrate your birthday together. It's hard to believe this coming February it will be 10 years since your passing. The grand kids are mostly :) grown up and you would be very proud of them.
Love you,
Andree
Love you,
Andree
February 18, 2023
February 18, 2023
There are so many times that I wish I could share some news about the kids with you or talk to you about the changes in my life, or just reach out and hold your hand again. I love you mom.
February 17, 2023
February 17, 2023
Always thinking of you! Never forgotten!
We cherish the good memories which are still so vivid in our hearts and mind.
Always to be loved!
Sending you my love today & everyday.
Christopher
We cherish the good memories which are still so vivid in our hearts and mind.
Always to be loved!
Sending you my love today & everyday.
Christopher
December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
Happy Birthday Mom! We had one of your favorite birthday cakes to celebrate tonight. It brought back some wonderful and funny memories. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! (It's still December 18 in Seattle.) We love you!
December 18, 2022
December 18, 2022
Yes friend you are special and missed a lot I think of you often and the many good times we had together and it’s so very nice that Andra and Chris have this tribute set up can’t believe it’s 8 years already sending you a big hug and lots of love miss you a lot you were one of my best friends and you are truly missed glad we had many fun times and great friend marian evanila
February 17, 2022
February 17, 2022
I am missing you Mom. It's hard to believe it has been eight years since your passing but, of course, I can see the passage of time in your grandchildren and in me. We keep telling our Pat stories and my memories of you do not fade. I love you mom.
December 18, 2021
December 18, 2021
Happy Birthday Mom!
Love you always & forever!
Love you always & forever!
February 17, 2021
February 17, 2021
As I was going through an old box I found a card my mom gave me to commemorate my graduation from law school. She said she wanted to express herself in a profound way, but her feelings of being so proud and having tears of love and joy were so overwhelming that she could only say that I was wonderful, special and that she loved me. I think that does it. Love you too mom.
January 2, 2021
January 2, 2021
It's been nearly 7 years since the passing of my dear friend, Ms. Pat Gagnon. I miss her dearly. She was the driving force and the inspiration for me earning my undergraduate degree and two masters degrees. You changed my life. You enriched my life.
You are my friend, Ms. Pat; and I miss you always.
Lovingly,
Jose M. Rios
You are my friend, Ms. Pat; and I miss you always.
Lovingly,
Jose M. Rios
December 21, 2020
December 21, 2020
I'm having Fuji apples and cheddar cheese in honor of Pat!
December 18, 2020
December 18, 2020
To my dear friend think of you often and think of all the fun and memories we had you were one of my dearest friends and so glad I have all the memories to cherish thank you Marian evanila
December 18, 2020
December 18, 2020
Happy Birthday Mom! Missing you especially today - as I do every year. This has been a tough year. I remember how unhappy you were when "W" was president. I am glad you didn't have to be subjected to the current administration. We aren't able to be in Palm Springs for the holidays this year but I am looking forward to next year. It always makes me happy to remember our last trip there together. Love you.
February 17, 2020
February 17, 2020
Mom I think about you often, but we tell lots of "Pat" stories in February. I like to take the time to think about your whole life story: the times before Chris and I, the successes, the happy times, the disappointments and the sad times. There is so much to learn. I find some new perspective every year. Thank you for that. You would be amazed at how grown up your grandchildren are. They are wonderful, talented people and I am learning a lot from them too. I love you mom!
February 17, 2020
February 17, 2020
Can't believe it's been 5 years already you are truly missed and you are still in my memories often in fact last week I came across your business card when I was cleaning out my wallet and of couse started to think of you and all the good times we had and what a good friend you were I also think this yearly tribute set up by you kids. Is such a great idea and you should be so proud of them as I am wish I could be incontact with them sounds like your grandchildren are doing well but most of all I miss you and love you marian
February 17, 2020
February 17, 2020
Mom, you are always on my mind! Corny I know.
Today I want you to know how proud you would be of all the women in our family! They are all amazing! Nun you know I and Alicia love so much! and she has come along way from that 1st arrival @ JFK airport! My big shout out goes to Andree, your daughter & my sister, who is one of the most brilliant people i know and love! She is a wonderful role model for all, and I am not sucking up, ha, she is kind, considerate, understanding, compassionate, beautiful, passionate, driven and as we all know really focused! She is the best of sisters, and she has become the matriarch of our family! You would also be so happy that Alicia so looks up to her mommy, and Andree, Kate & Char, even from a distance, and sees that anything is possible in her future! Mom my love for you is forever! Your son, Christopher
Today I want you to know how proud you would be of all the women in our family! They are all amazing! Nun you know I and Alicia love so much! and she has come along way from that 1st arrival @ JFK airport! My big shout out goes to Andree, your daughter & my sister, who is one of the most brilliant people i know and love! She is a wonderful role model for all, and I am not sucking up, ha, she is kind, considerate, understanding, compassionate, beautiful, passionate, driven and as we all know really focused! She is the best of sisters, and she has become the matriarch of our family! You would also be so happy that Alicia so looks up to her mommy, and Andree, Kate & Char, even from a distance, and sees that anything is possible in her future! Mom my love for you is forever! Your son, Christopher
December 18, 2019
December 18, 2019
Happy Birthday Mom! It's hard to believe you would have been 90 today. I am looking forward to spending another Christmas in Palm Springs. I love the memories of our last visit there, when Chris, you and I were there together and had that wonderful walk around the neighborhood. I love you.
February 17, 2019
February 17, 2019
Mom, it has been five years but the passage of time has not changed how much I love and miss you. I wish we had had more time together in Seattle. It was wonderful to see how engaged and relaxed you were - especially when you were at Elderwise. I love looking at pictures of you at the Elderwise Christmas party, and being able to look at the paintings you created while you were there.
Love you mom.
Love you mom.
December 18, 2018
December 18, 2018
Mom, thinking of you on your birthday - as I always do. You would be so proud of your grandchildren - they are all so amazing and grown-up now. I always feel close to you when I am in Palm Springs. Love you.
December 18, 2018
December 18, 2018
I know you are always with me, there are times when your presence is so very strong. I know you are guiding and protecting our family and will continue to do so, thanks mom! Your memory is with your granddaughter forever, she new you, understood you and speaks about you often, I am so very happy for this, it's just wonderful! Mom you would be so proud of her, she is wonderful young girl and is just amazing in so many ways :) Always loving and missing you mom!
February 17, 2018
February 17, 2018
Missing you today mom. Although I have sweet memories of our time together in Seattle, it would have been nice to have had more time together. Love you.
December 18, 2017
December 18, 2017
Happy Birthday, Mom! I have been thinking of you so often lately and what you would think about our latest adventure in Canada. I think you would have had a great affinity for Canadian culture and their deep commitment to education and civility. We are going to go to Palm Springs over the Christmas holidays. I always think of you and how happy you were there during our last Christmas together. It has made Palm Springs an extra special place for me and a happy memory for everyone. Today, we will have chocolate cake in your honor. Love you. Andree
December 18, 2017
December 18, 2017
Happy birthday pat can't believe another year has passed you are in my mind and thoughts often this year on February 22 my daughter janet passed away suddenly I wish you were hear so we could talk really miss you and again so glad your kids have this site just brings us again closer and refreshes all our memories
May 14, 2017
May 14, 2017
Thinking of you today Mom. Getting my flowers from Paul, Char and Kate made me remember how much you liked getting flowers from all of us. It always made me happy knowing that our small token of appreciation would make you so happy. Love you mom.
May 14, 2017
May 14, 2017
Felt you with me this morning very much! For some reason just zoned into all the calls from near or far we had on mothers day. You really loved mothers day, guaranteed you were going to speak with both Andree & I, and I know you loved the flowers. We think of you all the time. Our love forever and never forgotten. Christopher, Nun & Alicia
February 17, 2017
February 17, 2017
So much has happened since we said goodbye three years ago. You would be so proud of Kate, Char and Alicia. I wish I could call you up and tell you all about them. When we would talk on the phone you always loved to hear what they were up to. I am so grateful that your friends come visit the site and share their memories with us. You made a difference in so many people's lives. I miss you.
February 17, 2017
February 17, 2017
Where has the time gone this tribute is such a nice thing that you children have done. Really miss you a lot and I am so happy you had some time to live in Washington to see your family and be with them during your final days I love to think back to those good old days at the club playing tennis and going for breakfast we had some good memories and again I really miss you and love you like a sister .
February 17, 2017
February 17, 2017
Continue to miss Pat or the name I always called her "The Duke". You were always special in my life. You were the best clinical supervisor any young social worker could hope for. I live eternally grateful to you for all you taught me. Your passing seems as though it was a shorter period of time ago. I'm sorry that it took me so very long to respond to my personal loss. But as the Duke taught me we do things at our own pace. I feel very lucky to have had her in my life. We were special friends. We stayed in each others home often. We even went to Puerto Rico together many years ago. My family here and there were also fond of her. I hold many memories and her sprit is often with me. As for Chris and Andree my love to you and to your family. As always hope to see you when you visit New York. Special hay to Kate. Lots of love Cesar, Rose and the Damien.
December 18, 2016
December 18, 2016
Happy Birthday Mom. I have been thinking about you a lot lately. You would have been saddened by the latest election and the rampant racism and sexism that is espoused by the President-elect and many of his followers. You were always a strong defender of civil rights and committed to helping others – this is a dark time for those who believe in these ideals. I also realize how much (for better and worse:)) you were the driving force for bringing the family together for the holidays. Since you passed away, the holidays just seem to come and go, so I am looking forward to spending Christmas in Palm Springs. You were so happy there during your last Christmas with us and it brings back sweet memories.
Love you Mom!
Love you Mom!
December 18, 2016
December 18, 2016
Hi Mom, it's you birthday! Happy Birthday!
I felt you with me so deeply this morning! I remember all those years that you would call me out of the blue and say, are you ok? and assuredly I would tell you that something happened, I got hurt emotionally or physically, still so amazing to me, and I am so glad those feelings are still so strong. Missing you forever!!
Nun, Alicia and I will light a birthday candle for you tonight and enjoy something sweet! And mom remember Alicia loved your 60% dark chocolate, well she still does, and even more now! Every time she enjoys a piece I think of you!
The sandman is coming!
Love to you from all of us!
I felt you with me so deeply this morning! I remember all those years that you would call me out of the blue and say, are you ok? and assuredly I would tell you that something happened, I got hurt emotionally or physically, still so amazing to me, and I am so glad those feelings are still so strong. Missing you forever!!
Nun, Alicia and I will light a birthday candle for you tonight and enjoy something sweet! And mom remember Alicia loved your 60% dark chocolate, well she still does, and even more now! Every time she enjoys a piece I think of you!
The sandman is coming!
Love to you from all of us!
December 18, 2016
December 18, 2016
Dear chris and Andree. How nice it is that you have this special web site. Yes I often think of your mom we were good friends and had a lot of good times playing tennis lunch at the club her visit to us in Montana but I miss her phone calls and seeing her especially around Christmas just brings backs more memories.she was a very special person who loved her family so much and here friends also we miss and love you Pat I am so glad you were in my life and so happy your kids have this web site
February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016
I love and miss you so much!
I think about you almost everyday, and Alicia and I always talk about Grandma, she has some very nice memories, and we have fun with the Grandma stories! We love you Grandma and will never forget you!
I think about you almost everyday, and Alicia and I always talk about Grandma, she has some very nice memories, and we have fun with the Grandma stories! We love you Grandma and will never forget you!
December 18, 2015
December 18, 2015
Happy Birthday Mom! As you got older you acted like you didn't want to celebrate your birthday but I know you loved it when Chris and I called you on your birthday. We got to celebrate many of Mom's birthdays together because it is a week before Christmas, and we were often together for the holidays. When I think of Mom's birthday, I think of chocolate cake. Mom loved chocolate cake. So there were many fabulous chocolate cakes over the years. I love you mom.
June 26, 2015
June 26, 2015
Hello everyone -
My name is Robert (Bobby as you'd probably remember) Owens. I was raised in Stony Brook, NY... and was a childhood friend of Chris. My sister, Sandra was Andree's friend. I knew Patricia Gagnon as well as any child could... she was always warm, loving and open. I remember her, and cherish the memories I had with the Gagnon family. I lost my own mom (Carolyn) in 2012. May all of your memories of Patricia Gagnon remain forever warm in your hearts... as she is, in mine.
My name is Robert (Bobby as you'd probably remember) Owens. I was raised in Stony Brook, NY... and was a childhood friend of Chris. My sister, Sandra was Andree's friend. I knew Patricia Gagnon as well as any child could... she was always warm, loving and open. I remember her, and cherish the memories I had with the Gagnon family. I lost my own mom (Carolyn) in 2012. May all of your memories of Patricia Gagnon remain forever warm in your hearts... as she is, in mine.
March 12, 2015
March 12, 2015
II I am glad that I was able to spend time with Pat...a most interesting lady!
l .have many fond memories of our time together.
l .have many fond memories of our time together.
December 22, 2014
December 22, 2014
I think of Pat often and I miss my sister. We talked on the 'phone often and I enjoyed her visits with me. I wish I could have made her life happier, but we lived too far apart. I loved her dearly. Still do.
December 18, 2014
December 18, 2014
Happy Birthday, Mom. We miss you. Love, Andree and Chris
December 18, 2014
December 18, 2014
Happy 85th birthday to you Ms. Gagnon! I sincerely miss you!
December 18, 2014
December 18, 2014
Pat and my mom (Marillyn) were roommates in Illinois. Pat helped my parents adopt my sister. Pat would come out to California to visit my family often. She will always be Aunt PittyPat to my sister and me.
March 1, 2014
March 1, 2014
I didn't get to know Pat well, but on the few occasions when we were together, I realized what a warm and friendly person she was. It was easy to see why her friends and her clients found her someone who understood without judging, at the same time encouraging them to accomplish more than they thought they could. A life well lived, indeed.
February 28, 2014
February 28, 2014
I miss my dear friend.
February 26, 2014
February 26, 2014
in memory of a very SPECIAL FRIEND. approx. 30 years of memories, suppers at Tuthill and county club, tennis games, swimming at the "Y" parties at your house your trip to visit us in Montana plus many others. So glad you were in my life. You will be missed very much.marian
February 22, 2014
February 22, 2014
Sending blessings and love during this time of both loss and celebration of a life well lived.
What a lovely way to collectively remember the lives Patricia touched! We regret never meeting her but through her amazing daughter, Andree - our dear friend, we are able to catch a glimpse of her tremendous impact.
What a lovely way to collectively remember the lives Patricia touched! We regret never meeting her but through her amazing daughter, Andree - our dear friend, we are able to catch a glimpse of her tremendous impact.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
February 17
February 17
As it is the 10th Anniversary of Pat's passing, I added a note to the main section of her memorial page. I love you mom! Please feel free to share your stories of mom, on the stories tab or in this tribute section.
December 18, 2023
December 18, 2023
Happy Birthday, Mom! I am really missing you today. I wish we were able to celebrate your birthday together. It's hard to believe this coming February it will be 10 years since your passing. The grand kids are mostly :) grown up and you would be very proud of them.
Love you,
Andree
Love you,
Andree
February 18, 2023
February 18, 2023
There are so many times that I wish I could share some news about the kids with you or talk to you about the changes in my life, or just reach out and hold your hand again. I love you mom.
Gallery
Happy Birthday Mom!
Striking a pose with some serious 1970 pants.
Visit to her mom and dad's in Michigan.
Powder Blue Trench kind of says it all . . .
First Baby Shower.
Sometime in Europe in 1972.
Travels "abroad" in 1972.
Mom with baby Chris.
Chicago with John - early days.
Recent stories
Excerpt from Uncle Richard Orlikoff's Letter of July 7, 2000
February 17, 2016
As for my father’s family, Dad told me that his father, and the family, had been hay, feed and grain merchants in Odessa. My father was not born in this country. I believe that he was born in Russia. His family emigrated to Argentina in the 1890’s, fleeing a pogrom and led by a rabbi. They found the Argentinean Pampas too wild and uncivilized and entered the U.S. before the turn of the century, where they purchased a farm in upper New York State.
Dad said that the farm was stony, with poor soil. Somehow or other they got into New Jersey and began a dairy farm. When I was very young, Dad was a milkman in Passaic, New Jersey. I believe he was delivering milk from the family farm.
Came the depression and the dairy could not support all of them. Dad moved West to join Mother’s family in South Bend, Indiana, where Sam Levine operated a rendering plant. Times in South Bend were grim and Dad moved up into Michigan (Whitehall), where he traded furs in the winter and ran a junk yard year-round, graduating into the auto parts business. I remember traveling with him to the Upper Peninsula to buy furs from the Indians. We left Whitehall for Big Rapids with all of the family’s belongings packed on to a truck. If we had been in Oklahoma we would have been called “Okies”.
In Big Rapids Dad bought the house and business (Junk) of an old Jewish man named Rose. I don’t know whether he paid cash or bought on contract, or part cash and part contract. We replaced Rose as the only Jewish family in Big Rapids.
Somehow or other our Grandfather, Sam Levine, moved up to Muskegon with his family. Perhaps the move of both families was coincident. I believe the Levine family had been in Michigan at an earlier time. I remember stories about the Levine family arriving in Houghton, Michigan. Word of their arrival had preceded them and, it was related to me, the town turned out at the train station to get their first glimpse of real Jews.
Dad said that the farm was stony, with poor soil. Somehow or other they got into New Jersey and began a dairy farm. When I was very young, Dad was a milkman in Passaic, New Jersey. I believe he was delivering milk from the family farm.
Came the depression and the dairy could not support all of them. Dad moved West to join Mother’s family in South Bend, Indiana, where Sam Levine operated a rendering plant. Times in South Bend were grim and Dad moved up into Michigan (Whitehall), where he traded furs in the winter and ran a junk yard year-round, graduating into the auto parts business. I remember traveling with him to the Upper Peninsula to buy furs from the Indians. We left Whitehall for Big Rapids with all of the family’s belongings packed on to a truck. If we had been in Oklahoma we would have been called “Okies”.
In Big Rapids Dad bought the house and business (Junk) of an old Jewish man named Rose. I don’t know whether he paid cash or bought on contract, or part cash and part contract. We replaced Rose as the only Jewish family in Big Rapids.
Somehow or other our Grandfather, Sam Levine, moved up to Muskegon with his family. Perhaps the move of both families was coincident. I believe the Levine family had been in Michigan at an earlier time. I remember stories about the Levine family arriving in Houghton, Michigan. Word of their arrival had preceded them and, it was related to me, the town turned out at the train station to get their first glimpse of real Jews.
A Client's tale if I may
February 20, 2015
by T K
Literally, not a day goes by without some remembrance, or appreciation of how fortunate I was to have known Pat. The story about the painting, thanks so much for posting it. Yaah, your Mom knew her Arts very well (whether performance or material), especially the “creative” side.
I once synthesized an epic sounding piece to test some music gear. She was curious to hear something. I did not tell her it was a test piece - I could tell she was not very familiar with the latest production tools. She nevertheless, nailed down, to a tee, how much time it took to do it.
She liked it, thought it was good, and certainly "professional", but mildly dismissive she questioned, “So did this take you about 2 hours or so?”. We had a real laugh, I couldn’t get one past her. That her creative background was sending up flares as she sat listening to what was otherwise “epic" material. She still had it !
She was more taken by a song with lyrics on acoustic guitar (which took real effort). Pat was not one to be patronizing with, by any means, especially when it comes to the Arts. One finds out early, her standards were forged in the real world. It was just another example of her depth, in all the humanities, and in “all things human” really.
To think that I only knew her in her later years. I can only imagine what a vibrant infatigable spirit she must have had when younger, her will still strong in the years I knew her. I wish she had been given more time to be with you all whom she loved. She deserved as much. It makes me sad.
There's so much I want to say. Like about her contribution to so many lives, but I'm liable to be even more waxing, and verbose. I think she did immeasurable good for those she helped and all those, in a "degrees of seperation" sense, who likewise can live lives less-harmed, thanks to Pat's presence in her profession. She's my hero(ine).
A Client
P.S. Andree I haven't forgotten, I just wasn't cured of procrastination.
Pat at Elderwise
May 20, 2014
On May 17, Paul, Claude and I attended the Elderwise auction. After Mom passed, one of her paintings had been included in a local exhibit of artwork done by the Elderwise community. Elderwise contacted me and wanted to know whether Chris and I wanted to donate the picture to be auctioned as part of their fundraiser. Well Chris and I aren’t ready to part with any of Mom’s paintings, but I wanted to attend the auction. It is such a wonderful group and even though Mom only participated for a short time she found a community that supported her and she was able try something completely new.
The auction was held at Horizon House, which is where Mom attended the Elderwise program. At the entrance was Mom’s painting with the following short biography:
Pat was a social worker and psychotherapist and was in private practice for 30 years in New York. She moved to Seattle in 2013 from Long Island to be close to her family. During her short time here she participated in and grew to love the Elderwise Community and even started painting. We enjoyed her spunk and humor. Pat passed away on February 17th 2014.
Mom had found her tribe and they recognized what was special about her. That has been such a great gift to all of us. On the wall was a slide show of the group. It was great to see Mom in some of those pictures. She was engaged and relaxed. We were also welcomed by those that had worked with Mom and it was clear that even though she had been with the group only a short time, she left her mark and had touched them.
I loved one story that we were told about Mom and her painting. She was very reluctant to start painting when she first joined the group, and when she started painting she didn’t want to be told that her paintings were good. But there was one painting, which I included in the slide show, of a branch with flowers. One of the program coordinators, Cayce, noticed that Mom was intently working on this painting and seemed to be fully engaged. Cayce went over to Mom and started to tell her that the painting was good, but hesitated given how Mom had responded in the past. But Mom said to her “for this one you can tell me it’s ok”.
It was a bittersweet afternoon, but I loved being at the auction. It was great to feel the love and care that I know Mom felt when she went to her Elderwise program on Mondays at Horizon House.
The auction was held at Horizon House, which is where Mom attended the Elderwise program. At the entrance was Mom’s painting with the following short biography:
Pat was a social worker and psychotherapist and was in private practice for 30 years in New York. She moved to Seattle in 2013 from Long Island to be close to her family. During her short time here she participated in and grew to love the Elderwise Community and even started painting. We enjoyed her spunk and humor. Pat passed away on February 17th 2014.
Mom had found her tribe and they recognized what was special about her. That has been such a great gift to all of us. On the wall was a slide show of the group. It was great to see Mom in some of those pictures. She was engaged and relaxed. We were also welcomed by those that had worked with Mom and it was clear that even though she had been with the group only a short time, she left her mark and had touched them.
I loved one story that we were told about Mom and her painting. She was very reluctant to start painting when she first joined the group, and when she started painting she didn’t want to be told that her paintings were good. But there was one painting, which I included in the slide show, of a branch with flowers. One of the program coordinators, Cayce, noticed that Mom was intently working on this painting and seemed to be fully engaged. Cayce went over to Mom and started to tell her that the painting was good, but hesitated given how Mom had responded in the past. But Mom said to her “for this one you can tell me it’s ok”.
It was a bittersweet afternoon, but I loved being at the auction. It was great to feel the love and care that I know Mom felt when she went to her Elderwise program on Mondays at Horizon House.