It is with deep
sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Patricia
Josephine 'Sis' (Roach) Grezel, 78, of New Victoria, formerly of River
Ryan on Jan. 25, 2012 at
home.
Born and raised
on Roaches Road, New Waterford, she was a daughter of the late John
'Jack' and Florence (Johnston) Roach.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Paul; sons
David (Pat Hanson) River Ryan, Rob (Roxanne), Wicklow
,Ontario, Paul Joe (Charmaine, Nathan and Alexander Hogan),
New Waterford; daughters Isabel (Hans Zimmermann), Calgary,
Pattie-Anne (Doug MacLeod) River Ryan, Irene (Stephen Read) Marion
Bridge, Teresa (Patrick MacLeod) New Waterford , Marguerite (Lawrence
Peckham), Hubley,Nova Scotia; grandchildren Stephen, Krystle, April,
Robert, Jennifer, Danielle, Michael , Kristen, Bradley, Paul, Daniel,
Nelson and Dawson; step-grandchildren Tara, Marc, Alison, Corey,
Michael; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Jackson, Hailey, Kaylee,
Cameron, Madison, Nevaeh, Ryane, Leland, Miley and Emmelisa;
brothers Rob(Nicki), Bernard (Madge), Anthony
(Pat); sisters Bernadine (Gerry), Carm (Bob); dear friends Rose
(Torchy) Miles and family, Florence MacPherson, Phil
Henessey.
Pat was predeceased by
sisters Caroline, Teresa, Maime and brothers Jay, Johnny,
Earl, Matt.
She was a member of the former Mount Carmel Parish,
currently the Parish Church of St. Leonard.
Pat spoke often of her days
working for the nuns in New Waterford and Sydney where she cooked
meals for many. Rather than prepare her for the religious life (she
had planned on becoming a sister), it prepared her for cooking for
the eight children she would later have!
Pat left school in grade
eight, but continued to educate herself about world and local events.
She learned to challenge and question anything that didn’t
make sense to her. This skill proved useful many times over the years
in her business and volunteer work. In later years she took up
correspondence studies and proudly achieved a grade 12 equivalency.
She took creative writing courses and painting classes. Family and
friends were the recipients of hand painted crafts and holiday cards
over the years. Her children would laugh when she would sign her
cards with "Mom and Dad Grezel" as if we wouldn’t
know their last
name!
She was a community
volunteer, activist and founding member of Sydney Harbour
Fortifications Society which saved and restored Fort Petrie Military
Museum in New Victoria. This became a popular tourist destination as
well as an employer of many local residents over the years. Never
willing to wait for someone else to do the work, she along with her
husband Paul, worked tirelessly to make others aware of the important
history of the New Waterford area and the potential of the community.
She was humbled by an opportunity to speak at the Temple Sons of
Israel Synagogue in Sydney about her work at the
museum.
For many years she was a
stay at home mom who spent many hours sewing and baking. Pat was the
mother of eight and considered a mother figure to many. Her children
have particularly fond memories of the stuffed dolls and toys she
used to make us as kids, and who could forget the matching green
dresses the girls wore in the school’s Irish concert when
we first moved to
Lingan!
She owned and operated River
Ryan Campground for 30 years and proudly represented Nova Scotia in
Tourism. A believer in justice and dignity of all, she fought
hard to support those in need. She could never turn her back on the
humanity of a person even when many others would.
Visitation will
be held Friday, Jan. 27 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray
Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass of
celebration for Pat will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. in
the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford.
Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at
the Carmel Center, New Waterford. Donations in her memory may be made
to the Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton, Canadian Cancer
Society or Fort Petrie Military Museum. Online expressions of sympathy
may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
Condolences
so very sorry to hear of Pat's passing. She was truly a wonderful lady! She will be missed by all.
— Sandra Gouthro
Deeply saddened to hear about Aunt Sisty. I can guarantee her and Ma and sharing a pot of tea right now and a cup of gossip...love to Uncle Paul and all our cousins...love Patsy, Teddy, Michelle and Carli
— patsy poirier
Pattie- Anne, Doug and all the Grezel and extended families: So very sorry to hear of your Moms,Mother in-law,Grandmothers passing,my thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone. May you find some comfort in knowing she is now at peace....God bless you all.
— Blaise MacLeod
I am so very sorry to hear of your tremendous loss - also a great loss to the community. I know the Angels are welcoming Pat with open arms, smiles on their faces and warm hearts -- exactly the way she would welcome people into her home. Our loss is Heaven's gain. xoxo
— Kathy Zanth
my deepest sorrow on your mom, she was a fine lady, may she rest in peace, with the lord, i know she in heaven ,
— cathy(pembroke) macpherson,
To Paul and the Grezel Family,
Please except our sincere sympathy on the passing of Pat, I worked on various committees with Pat a great many years, such as Student Grants, and her Cape Breton Trail project. She was truley a great community leader and that is shown through all of her and Pauls efforts and accomplishments at Fort Petrie, which they accomplished beyond what others could ever due, her dedication will never be forgotten, she became a friend to me spending many days and nights at her kitchen table discussing their plans. She always spoke of her children and grandchildren her were the light of her life. Our blessings are with you all through your greeving on your wife, mother, and grandmother. May God be with you all.
— Gloria & Kevin Cheetham
Paul and family
My thoughts are with you all on this sad day. I remember all the good times at your moms house while growing and even after I left the area. I can see here now when I would come through the door and she would be sitting at the kitchen table and the first words out of her mouth was what's going on. A lot of good memories, my prayers are with you.
— Ken Miles
sad day today pat was a great person like our second mom allways had the tea pot on and lunch nomatter what time of day or night it was.and allways like a good game of crib,my thoughts and prayers are with paul and family..i will miss her calling me hubba
— kevin miles
I am sitting here remembering all the fun times I had with my Aunt Sisty. I loved her very much. I never walked into her house without feeling warm and welcome. I remember particularly the fun time we had when Matt was a baby and we stayed at the Camp Ground for a week.
Ma's relationship with Sis taught me how to be a good sister and I know how much they loved each other.
Also, let Uncle Paul know that I have sued the highway department for making the road to close to my arse and I still love chocolate cookies!
You have my deepest sympathies and I know how you will miss her everyday.
Love Bobbi, Allan and Matthew
— Bobbi and Allan Boudreau
I am extending my deepest sympathy to each of you. Her obituary captured this wonderful soul so perfectly. It is difficult to imagine this world without her. So...I wont. Actually, she can be seen in each of you..her lovely family. In her boys,we can see strength and sense of humour. In Patti-Ann, a strong sense of family. Irene,it is intelligence. Isabel, kindness. Marguerite,sense of calmness & of course..the exact same beautiful laugh! Theresa....Theresa....you embody the essence of what she stood for, as you all do. Theresa, it is strength an compassion. I can't tell you what an honor it has been to know you all. Your Dad, such an exceptional person, will get through because of his family. To the rest of her family, we are all thinking of you, we know you will miss her dearly. You all come from something special.She was so proud of all of you. With sincere sympathy, Tammy
— Tammy (Tighe) MacNeil & family
Uncle Paul, Grezel cousins, and your extended families:
I am so very sorry to hear about Aunt Sisty's passing. Some of my greatest memories are of spending time at River Ryan with all of you. Although I cannot be with you on the day of the service, rest assured you are in my heart and prayers and at 10:00am sharp I will hoist a mug of tea in honor of my dearest Aunt Sisty!
Love, Anne-Marie & Robert
— Anne-Marie Heudes
Irene, so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Her kitchen table was always a stop for us every summer that we visited from Calgary. I will miss her home-made Christmas cards, her laughter, and kindness to my children. She was a very special person; one-of-a-kind. I loved her and will miss her. Sending hugs to you, your dad and sisters and brothers.
— Yvette (Gouthro) Alongi
Deepest sympathy on the death of your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you strength at this most difficult time.
— Linda and Archie MacDonald & Family
Mr Grezel and Family Sorry to here about the passing of Mrs Grezel, she was a wonderful lady. May she rest in peace.
— Kathy McKinnon
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Pat will be missed by all who knew her. We will keep your family in our Prayers. Marilyn Clements
— Lamey Family
Hello Uncle Paul and cousins. Aunt Sisty was such an incredible person. We always wait to long to say how we feel about people. I loved the way she always was there for people. She was a matriarch. She just had this way of making people feel special, maybe because she was a very special person. Like I read earlier heaven's gain, everybody else's lost. My prayers are with you all. I don't shed a tear often, but for this great aunt of mine I did.
Roddy
— Roddy Roach
God Bless your whole family, it has been many years since I have seen you Isabelle and Patti Anne, we went to school together and have many fond memories, your Mother was a Rock and she was a great person, please accept my condolences on her passing, she left a great legacy in her children. God Bless her soul.
— Sandra (Burns) Melanson
It is never easy to say good bye to a loved one. I was fortunate enough to call her Auntie Sis. Not present in person but always present. Reading her story warms my heart. For all the people she has touched many and we are blessed.
Please know there is much love and prayers being sent your way from the west.
Love Always and forever! Deanna and Tanner
— Deanna (Roach) Wrate
Our deepest condolences go out to your entire family during this difficult time. I've always looked up to Mrs Grezel as a role model who I highly respected. I remember when I was in the cadets and I would bring her my uniforms to sew my badges on for me. Being an incredible seamstress this was no challenge for her and she would talk and smile as she sewed. Her countless hours and dedication to the community has earned her the respect from so many people. For me, the angels will be easy to find when I go to heaven. All I have to do is call out Mrs Grezels name. Rest in peace Mrs G. You will never be forgotten.
— Blair & Pam Miles
I was sad to hear about your mom's passing...my heart goes out to you all in this tough time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
— Jennifer MacKinnon
Irene and Family:
On behalf of the Teachers of the Cape Breton District Local, Nova Scotia Teachers Union, I wish to offer you deepest sympathies on the death of your mother.
Ron MacIntosh
President – Cape Breton District Local, NSTU
— Ron MacIntosh
Pat loved her family so deeply and greatly cared for everyone even remotely included in that circle. It was a pretty big circle, but that was ok, because she had a very big heart.
Cape Breton Island has suffered a great loss of one of it's true loves, Pay loved her island, and her passionate dedication to preserving its history will forever live on...
Pat and Paul, thank you for the happy memories I'll cherish forever growing up with your family. The campground you built together was an amazing place of memories to me... And your door, was always open . Thank you.
All my love to the Grezel family, your in my heart today and always. Xo Jill
— Jill Dean
I was saddened to hear of the loss of my good friend of 62 years. Sisty's passion was family, friends, and Cape Breaton. Love you girl.
Edna Hannigan
— Edna Hannigan
I am so sorry that i can't be there with you but my toughts and my prayers are with you all . this is a great lose to all of us , but pull together as a familly and you will make it threw this love matt and julie anne roach and familly .
— matthew roach
Our condolences to your family and friends. She was one in a million! Remember all of the good times shared together. We are thinking of you all during this time of sadness.
— Phil and Terri Morris
Patti-Ann and family,We just heard about your mom and we want to say how truely sorry we are.You and all your family are in our thoughts and prays.
Shelly & George
— Shelly,George
Dear Grezel Family,
I truly know the pain you are feeling now with the absence of your Mother, she was a remarkable woman. It was such a blessing to be able to take Dad to Nova Scotia to spend time with his sister (“Sis”) and family, a memory he treasured. We were in awe of all the hard work and perseverance your mother and family did to preserve a part of Canadian History, that we as Canadian’s are very grateful, and her legacy will remain for all Canadians to enjoy.
I wish your family peace in your heart knowing that with fond memories of Sisty; mother, sister, friend, grandmother and above all humanitarian will live on.
Love Always, Sheila and ALL the “Matt & Ruth Roach Clan”
— Sheila Schmidt
VERY SORRY IRENE AN FAMILY .SHE WAS THE BEST !
— HEATHER WEATHERBEE
