June 27, 1961 - April 16, 2024
With incredible sadness, and with too many experiences and trips still to be had, we say goodbye to Sue Patterson, our beloved wife, mom, and grandma. Sue had a recurrence of cancer before passing away with grace and dignity on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She leaves behind her cherished husband and travel partner, David; their children, Sharon Butzke (Tyler), Heather Paes (Cristiano), and Brian Patterson (Jessica); and grandchildren, Julia, Lucas, Luciana, and Mia.
Sue was devoted to her family and friends, and, above all else, valued time spent with those close to her heart. She was committed to helping those who were lucky enough to cross her path and always looked for ways to bring joy to those around her. Sue loved to gather people together and would regularly host bountiful meals. Sue was an avid baker and anyone who stopped by for a visit was greeted with a smile, an empathetic ear, a hot coffee, and a delicious treat. Her kitchen was truly the heart of her home.
Though she didn’t make teaching an official career until later in life, Sue was always passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. She captivated her students with stories and demos, usually prefaced with, “this is so cool!” Her insatiable curiosity – especially about the natural world and all things science – was contagious.
Sue and Dave were inseparable and enjoyed 44 amazing years together raising their family and travelling the world. She had seemingly endless energy and loved to play, especially with her grandkids. Sue was really just a big kid, who wanted nothing more than to laugh and make others smile. We are immensely grateful for the time we had with Sue and the lessons she shared of life, love, selflessness, and curiosity. She will be missed beyond measure and her absence will be felt by all who knew her.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Victoria Park Pavilion in Kitchener, ON. Family and friends are invited to drop in between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm and, if they would like, bring photos and/or written stories to add to a memorial book.
In lieu of flowers, Sue requested that donations in her memory be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, which can be done at the following link:
https://fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/campaign/Celebrating-Sue-Patterson.
Arrangements entrusted to McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes