Obituary - Pat Andrews (Nee Hogan)

Nathan, Nickolas, Maria, Joseph (fiancé Amanda Turner), Jonathan and Emily sadly share the news of their mother’s passing, Patricia Ann Andrews (nee Hogan), on Thursday, October 28, 2009 at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, after a long battle with cancer. Pat’s memory will also be treasured by her five brothers, Jim (Lynne Douglas) of Qualicum Beach, B.C.; Bill (Delores) of Saskatoon, SK.; Tim (Marg) of Sherwood Park, AB.; Gerry (Pearl) of New Westminster, B.C.; Terry (Darcy Kozak) of Edmonton, AB.; her only sister, Chris (Tim) Streisel of Lethbridge, AB.; her step daughter, Melissa (Ernest) McCutcheon of Calgary, AB.; Thomas Devine, a long time family friend who loved the bustle of the Andrews household; as well as many nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by her parents, Emma and Will Hogan, of Saskatoon, SK.

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Pat was educated at St. Phillip Elementary, Holy Cross High School, and the University of Saskatchewan. In 1970 Pat started teaching Grade 5 at Sacred Heart Elementary in Regina. She returned to the U of S in 1973 to complete her Education degree before returning to Regina to teach Grades 3 and 4 as well as the Resource Room. In 1976 Pat moved to Swift Current, SK. to teach Grade 5 and Resource Room at St. Joseph’s until her good friend Starr Harding, of Saskatoon, convinced her she’d love to teach Grade 1. Pat took this advice and also became Vice Principal at St. Joseph’s. In 1982, Pat moved to Medicine Hat to be near her sister Chris and her family, thus beginning a 20+ year career as a Grade 1 teacher in Redcliff at I.F. Cox and Margaret Wooding Elementary Schools. The hundreds of children over the years who learned to read because of Pat’s dedication are a testament to her ability and dedication as a teacher. She had a true gift to see and to bring out the best in everyone.

On St. Patrick’s Day in 1984 at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Medicine Hat, Pat married Larry Andrews. Between 1985 and 1989 their children were born and Pat continued teaching in Redcliff. Life became fuller with school councils, sports (especially soccer for the kids), music lessons, and inevitably, Pat became a very capable taxi-driver. Her children still wonder how she had time to bake, every day, for their lunches, but she did. The Andrews clan attended St. Patrick’s R.C. Church where over the years Pat taught RCIA, assisted with sacramental retreats, Baptism classes and Godtime. In 2000, Pat divorced and in 2001 she received her Annulment.

The family extends special thanks to Pat’s close friends especially Di McCluskey, Susan Schneider and Margaret Devine who helped care for her so lovingly; to the nursing staff in the Palliative Care Unit of Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and to Dr. Sandra Duke and Dr. Josh Foley.

Those wishing to pay their respects and attend Vigil Prayers for Pat may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13th Street S.W.. on Friday, October 30, 2009, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at 2:00 P.M., with Reverend Father Gilles LeBlanc officiating. Interment will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Hillside Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Pat’s name may be made directly to the Cancer Centre, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, 666 - 5th Street S.W., Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 4H6.