January 9, 1941 - March 25, 2024
We announce the death of Patricia Mary Phelan, who died on March 25, 2024, from pancreatic cancer. She died at home, where she wanted, without pain and with her family by her side.
Predeceased by her older sister, Eileen in 2014, she is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Perry, her three children Michael (Anne), Quinn, Gareth (Janelle) and her younger sister Tessa, along with three grandchildren and many extended family members and friends both near and far. She was a very popular lady.
Patricia was born January 9, 1941, in Liverpool, England, the second of three Phelan sisters (pronounced fee-lan). They grew up across the Mersey in Wirral, of which she had many fond memories. Patricia wanted to travel and took her mother's sage advice of getting a skill set you could use anywhere and became a teacher.
This choice proved incredibly fruitful as it was a career that she loved and spanned over 40 years.
Patricia came to Canada, where she would spend the rest of her life. She eventually settled in British Columbia and taught in Hope and Langley, making lifelong friends along the way. Murrayville Elementary became her home away from home and she was their long-time kindergarten teacher for over 20 years.
When she spoke of her colleagues, friends and, of course, the students, the warmth in her voice and shine in her eyes spoke volumes of how important teaching had been to her.
In her retirement, Patricia was passionate about so many things. She was active in her community, loved going to arts programs and movies, and wrote letters and cards to people she knew well (or even those she had only met once or twice!). She took up Mah-jong, Dominoes and took care of her health with fitness classes and walking every day (consequently, she knew all the dogs in the neighbourhood).
Throughout her life, she took an interest in everyone and everything around her. When she felt the need to speak out against an injustice, she wrote letters, attended meetings, or made phone calls to city officials. She supported many charities, both local and international, because she believed in helping others.
She loved spending time with her three grandchildren, often joining them on the carpet with their toys, swinging on swings, reading books, or running in the yard with them. She lived her life fully, with a wry, smart sense of humour and with kindness and generosity to others.
She will be missed terribly by her husband, children, sister, extended family and all the friends she made along the way.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elizabeth's Wildlife Center in Abbotsford.