Obituary of Patricia "Pat" Agar

AGAR: Patricia "Pat" Agar, beloved wife of the late Leslie Agar, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the age of 81 years. Mom was born, Patricia Louise Lowe to Victor and Helen Lowe in Rivers, Manitoba on January 4, 1929. At the time, she was the young sister to twin brothers Bill and Steve, and brother Dave. Later she became big sister to Nat and then Liz. The family moved to Merridale (near Roblin, Manitoba) where Mom attended school. Upon graduation, she attended Normal School in Winnipeg to attain her teacher accreditation. Mom and Dad were married on July 10, 1954 and settled into the farm in Grandview. Mom quit teaching and in May 1955, Jerry came along. Soon, they moved to Gilbert Plains where Joyce, Eileen and Glen were born, keeping Mom very busy at home. Mom and Dad loved activities such as curling, golfing and square dancing and the family participated in card playing, crokinole, Sunday drives in the countryside, fishing and camping. Annual outdoor traditions were trekking through the bush to find the perfect Christmas tree and searching out the first crocuses in the spring. In 1975, Mom went back to teaching full time. She also took summer school to get her Bachelor of Teaching degree, which she completed after the age of 50. She continued to teach full time until the passing of Dad in 1990. Mom's parents had moved from their farm in Roblin to Gilbert Plains in 1970 and she loved having them close, either playing bridge or having supper with them most weekends. Mom made a similar move in 1999 when she moved from Gilbert Plains to Brandon. It was very difficult for her to leave her friends and memories behind, but she knew she was doing the right thing moving closer to her daughters and their families. Mom bought a house and quickly made it a home where all were welcome. Mom loved to travel and travelled many places including three visits to her sister Liz in Spain. She went to Australia with a group of friends, a trip to the British Isles and an Alaskan cruise with sister-in-law Muriel, an 80th birthday trip to Mexico with the family, and many other places in Canada and the USA. She was proud to have visited every major city in Canada. The last one was Montreal, which we visited together as a family this past May after her diagnosis of cancer. Mom's faith in God was strong and she supported His work through her church activities. She was on Presbytery, participated in UCW, and many other church committees. She taught Sunday school and vacation Bible School, as well as Messengers, Explorers and CGIT. She was committed to helping others and volunteered to drive people to church, canvassed door-to-door for various charities and sponsored children in impoverished nations. Pat is survived by her children Jerry (Ann) of Chicago, Joyce (Bob Richards) of Brandon, Eileen (Mark Schroeder) of Brandon and Glen (Pam Reimer) of Winnipeg, and by siblings Bill Lowe (Tillie), Steve Lowe (Anne), Nat Lowe (Dorothy) and Lisa Petit. Sisters-in-law Muriel Lowe, Eileen Shoemaker, Joy Kimball, Evelyn Thorvaldsen (Floyd), Arlene Agar and Lorraine Huntley (Gordon). She is also survived by grandchildren Marissa Agar Henrick (Adam) of Tasmania; Nigel Agar, Simon and Michael Schroeder and Kelsey and Brett Richards of Brandon; Brennan, Nathan and Liam Agar of Winnipeg; and Tanner, Cooper and Kaelin Agar of Chicago as well as many nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by her husband Leslie Arnold Agar in 1990, as well as brother David Lorne Lowe, sister-in-law Dorothy Morran, and brothers-in-law Bob Agar, Elgin Agar, Jim Morran and Cal Shoemaker. A Celebration of Pat's Life was held at Trinity United Church in Brandon on Monday, November 22, 2010 with Rev. Wayne Sanderson officiating. As Pat had requested, her grandchildren, accompanied by her niece Donna Lowe, sang "Morning Has Broken". The eulogy was delivered by son Glen Agar. Congregational hymns were "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" and "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee". Pallbearers were grandsons Nigel Agar, Simon Schroeder, Tanner Agar, Brett Richards, Michael Schroeder, and Cooper Agar. Interment took place at the Gilbert Plains Eldon Cemetery on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. Donations in memory of Pat may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8.