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Patti Lee Underwood

Patti Lee Underwood, late of Colgate, SK passed away October 11, 2017 at the age of 59 years.
Patti Lee Underwood

Patti Lee Underwood, late of Colgate, SK passed away October 11, 2017 at the age of 59 years.  Left to remember Patti is her mother Lillian Lizuck; husband David; children: Kyla (Ryan) Moffatt, Douglas (Shanel Myers), Michael, Sarah (Mason Richaud), and Toni (Brayen Wick); grandchildren: Taryn Murray-Underwood (Kyle Barry), Nick and Carys Moffatt;  Imy, Decious, Inara and Briona Underwood;  Brysen Richaud; Dean Wick; Paige, Hayley, Jayke, and Kayden Juneau; Brothers: Dennis (Lynne), Barry (Lorett), Steven; sisters: Connie (Gary), Denise (Bill), Wendy; brothers-in-law: Tom (Shena) Underwood,Stan (Bev) Marlin; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  Patti was predeceased by: father-in-law Percival Underwood; mother-in-law S. Rosina Underwood;  sister-in-law June Patterson; father Michael Lizuck; sisters: Dianne Marlin, Vicky Lizuck; nephew Trevor Lizuck. Patti was born on February 27, 1958, the sixth child of Mike and Lillian (Ror) Lizuck.  Patti grew up in Goodwater, where Mike worked at the elevator. Patti wrote about her younger days in the village: “Growing up in Goodwater was awesome! It was a small town but there was a skating rink, a curling rink, a store, a cafe, a repair shop, a bulk gas dealer and a school. There were a lot of kids around my age so we all played together pretty much every day. We played ball in the summer all day long, rode our bikes everywhere, went sledding on the big hill over by the elevators for hours in the winter time. Sometimes in the summer we would slide down the big hill in cardboard boxes. That was a blast. At night we would play hide & seek, kick the can, sardines or just hang out talking. There was lots of bats in Goodwater so at night you could see them flying over our heads as we played our games.” Patti met David Underwood while attending school in Goodwater, and they were married on November 27, 1976.  Together they had five children - Kyla, Douglas, Michael, Sarah, and Toni.  Patti became a mother very young and she dedicated herself to providing the best possible life for her children.  While her kids were small, Patti could always be seen in the stands at their plays, games or various events. She even did some coaching of the teams her kids were on.  An avid ball player in her youth, Patti spent quite a few seasons coaching ball while Kyla and Doug were at Goodwater School.  She always loved horses growing up and spent many hours with her friend Arliss at their farm riding ponies - this love of horses was passed on to her daughter Sarah and to her grandchildren.  Patti volunteered countless hours to 4-H and was very proud of the contributions she was able to make to the District 7 4-H Scholarship committee.  She was a leader for the 4-H Light Horse clubs her grandchildren attended and was also an avid supporter of the Lomond 4-H Beef Club. Patti was the Postmistress in Colgate from 1981 until she was forced to give up the job last fall due to her failing health.  She always enjoyed visiting with neighbours and friends - a trip to get the mail often took a while! Through the years she had a few more part-time jobs, including nurses’ aide jobs at Crocus Plains Villa and Souris Valley. She really enjoyed working with the many people she met there - both the residents and her fellow workers. Nothing mattered more to Patti than family and friends.  When Patti was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 2008, she actually waited to tell the family until a few days after the service celebrating the life of her sister, Dianne, who had last her battle with lung cancer.  Patti wanted everyone to have a chance to say goodbye and celebrate Dianne’s life before giving them her own sad news.  Patti fought hard through that round of chemo treatments and radiation, always with a positive attitude and a smile. Even on days where she was not feeling great, she always welcomed visits with her friends and family. The day she found out her cancer was in remission she celebrated by having dessert for lunch! Patti welcomed every new family member with open arms, including Dave’s daughter Mary and her husband and children who came into our lives in spring 2015. Though unplanned and unexpected, the addition of another child, her spouse, and four grandchildren was something Patti accepted with an open (if somewhat broken) heart. Our mom loved Mary and her children because they were important to us - so they became important to her. That is the kind of selfless, loving lady our mom was. In June of 2015, Patti developed a fungal infection in her lungs that left her hospitalized for quite some time. It was during treatment for this infection that her doctors discovered the breast cancer had migrated and returned to the other side of her body. After discussing the options with her doctors and her children, she decided to fight like hell - she wanted to be around for her children, grandchildren, and her extended family and friends.  The winter of ‘15-’16 was difficult for her.  She was in very poor health and after Dave suffered a broken hip in a work accident, Mom made the decision to move into Weyburn.  Her lungs could not keep up to her mind and spirit so this move allowed her to be closer to medical care and to get some help from her children with caring for herself.  Mom was the type of person who didn’t want a big fuss made over her - she never wanted to be a burden or inconvenience to anyone. She was the epitome of strength, perseverance, and love. Through many medical ailments and scares, Patti’s sense of humour never wavered.  It was common to walk into her hospital room and see a crowd gathered or to hear laughter coming from her room.   Some days were hard and she felt sad... but she would be the first to try to make someone else smile, whether they were nurses, doctors, friends, or family. Doctors Bigland and Lenferna took excellent care of mom and we can’t thank them enough for the many laughs they shared with her.  The nurses on 3rd floor at Weyburn General Hospital - there are no words to describe how much your kindness meant to our mom.  You helped her during her most trying times and were there for her when we couldn’t be.  Thank you for your loving care and friendship.  Patti’s passing, though not unexpected, was still sudden.  After fighting and beating cancer twice, it was her lungs that ultimately caused her the most anguish and ended up taking her from us way too soon.  Although we are saddened by the loss of this incredible lady, we have many wonderful memories of her to share.     Patti made the most out of every life event, whether it was work, an additional kid or an outing. She made friends openly and easily. Mom was one of the most accepting people ever and always looked for the positive in a situation.  In her 59 years of life Mom resiliently fought more than her fair share of battles. She dealt with many struggles, but she hardly ever let it drag down her spirit. Whatever you knew her as - Patti Lee, Patrish, Mom, Grandma wrinkle face, Dramma,  Aunt, cousin, friend, sister, 4-H leader, or volunteer at a community event - she was always the same. She was a lady of her word who had an honorable set of morals and values that she lived by fiercely.  She treated everyone with amazing kindness and was never shy to lend a helping hand.  Mom loved the Ellen show.  She always finished her Facebook posts with “Be Kind to One Another” just as Ellen ends her show.  So, friends, family…. That is how we choose to honour her and showing kindness to others is what her legacy will be.  That is what we know she would want to be remembered for.
 “I hope I see the world as you did, ‘cause I know
A life with love is a life that’s been lived
So I sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mom
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said
Hallelujah.  You’re home.”
~ from “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran

A Celebration of Life for Patti was held October 20, 2017 at 11:00am from the Church of Christ, Weyburn, SK with Mr. John Smith officiating. Honorary Pallbearer was Sherry Neill.  Active Pallbearers were:  Steven Neill, Kelly Hemphill, Kelvin Whitford, Shaun Underwood, Shane Underwood, Sheldon Underwood.  Fellowship and lunch followed at Captain’s Hall, Weyburn, SK.  Interment will be held at a later date at the Colgate Cemetery, Colgate, SK.  For family and friends wishing to honour Patti’s memory, donations may be made to the District 7 4-H Scholarship, c/o Brittany Stepp, Box 208, Torquay, SK, S0C 2L0 or the Colgate Cemetery Board, c/o Melanie Ward, Box 3,Colgate, SK, S0C 0V0 Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK  (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com “Celebrating Life, One Family At A Time”.