Pat Pal , RIP, July 27, 2026

Pat Pal passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, surrounded by her family, with compassion, dignity, and love.

Born in Canada, Pat moved with her family to Rochester, New York, at the age of six, where she was raised alongside her brother, Jim, who predeceased her. She built a successful career in human resources with PwC and was a certified Myers-Briggs facilitator, helping others better understand themselves and those around them.

Pat and her beloved husband, Jack, shared 33 wonderful years of marriage filled with adventure, friendship, and discovery. A lifelong advocate for health and wellness, she worked as a fitness and yoga instructor, ran a marathon with her dear friend Alma, briefly baked for a health food store, and was making her own yogurt long before it became fashionable.

Travel was one of Pat's greatest passions. Whether wintering in Arizona with Jack and their dogs, visiting family in Australia, hiking in New Zealand, or exploring Europe, she believed travel was about learning, understanding, and experiencing places as explorers rather than tourists. Although pulmonary fibrosis eventually curtailed those adventures, her curiosity and love of learning never faded.

Pat also found joy in reading and being read to, watching tennis, enjoying a strong cup of black coffee, and faithfully following her favourite television series, Grey's Anatomy. Her greatest non-human companions were her therapy dogs—Thatcher, Bailey, and Brady—whose work touched countless lives and whose memory is honoured in the Bayfield Lions portable stage photo collage. She also gave generously of her time as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society.

Pat was predeceased by her son, Noel, and is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Holly and her husband Colin; grandchildren Theo and Tristan; Jack's children, son Dennis with grandchildren Naomi and Liam; and daughter Jen with grandchildren Callam and Josh with partner Karly Gooch and great grandchildren Vinnie and Dakota; as well as many dear friends whose lives were enriched by her warmth, wisdom, kindness, and quiet strength.

In keeping with her lifelong commitment to caring for both people and the environment, Pat chose aquamation through McCormack Funeral Home in Sarnia as a gentle, environmentally responsible alternative to cremation.

The family extends its deepest appreciation to the staff of Huronview for their empathy and devoted care, and especially to the staff at Clinton Public Hospital, whose exceptional kindness, compassion, and professionalism ensured that Pat's final hours were marked by comfort, dignity, and peace.

Pat approached life with curiosity, courage, and an open heart. She believed the world was meant to be explored, people were meant to be understood, and kindness was something to be practised every day. Her love, wisdom, and gentle spirit will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.
For those that wish to share their remembrances or their condolences with Jack and the family, they may do so online in “Pat’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com.

Donations may be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation https://cpff.ca/donate/