It is with great sadness that we share the sudden death of Mrs. Myrtle Alice “Pat” DeMaeyer, on Tuesday June 30, 2020, at the age of 80.
Pat was the beloved wife of George DeMaeyer. George knows the gift of being loved and cared for by her for the last 54 years. Her son Daryn (Terry) DeMaeyer and daughter Lori (Chuck) Green, are fully aware of how blessed they are to have had Pat for their mother. Pat’s greatest pride and joy in her life was her 5 grandchildren Jacob, Caleb, Krystin, Julia and Zachary. Each one of you reading this today, will have heard Pat share more than one proud story of each of these amazing young people, who could not possibly have been loved more by her.
Pat cherished family above all else. She was the kind and caring sister and sister in law to Stella (Donald) Webster, Molly (Vic) Cross, Harriet (Sam) Cross, Joanne (Lloyd) Cross, Lorraine (DeMaeyer) and Melvin Bechard. On Tuesday, Pat was reunited with her parents, Russel and Myrtle (Rinnert) Cross and siblings Dorothy Cross, Mary Smith, Lloyd Cross, Frank Cross, Vic Cross and Sam Cross. We are sure she is still hugging them right now.
Pat grew up on a farm, doing chores and learning from her loving parents and siblings all about life. She played the piano and sang in the church choir for years. Her certificates of perfect attendance at church have been proudly preserved for years. While at Lori’s house just recently, she sat at the piano, quietly playing when she thought no one was listening, as she never wanted to be in the centre of attention and always shifted the accolades, compliments and credit to others. She was always giving.
Pat was simply the best friend to many. She was so blessed to have a large circle of friends, who she shared countless hours talking, laughing, travelling, shopping, story telling, joking, breaking bread and supporting each other. She took all those memories with her on Tuesday. She was a tremendous gift to each of her friends and they will forever hold a special place in her heart.
Pat worked in several different jobs throughout her life, one of her first being at Seigel’s Shoes in London where she was given a glowing recommendation for her work as a trustworthy, able and competent employee. Once married and raising Daryn and Lori, she worked off and on, sometimes different shifts so she could spend as much time with them as possible. Her longest held job was at Jimmy G’s Variety Store, where she became part of the Gamble family, who acknowledged her as a large reason their small family business was successful. They formally acknowledged her as “Employee of the Year” in 1988. She was the only employee who received that title. Pat also worked at the Courier Press for many years, where the friendships she developed there paid off far greater than any paycheck she received.
Those who knew Pat, loved her. Her family is so blessed to talk to people every day who ask about her, share a story of a time spent with her, describe her as being so friendly and kind, talk about how giving she was, how easy she was to love and how she gave the absolute, best hugs. Pat has left an amazing legacy of love behind for her family and friends. Our blessings of having her as our wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, are truly overflowing. We now all have the privilege of carrying that legacy of love forward as she has taught us but more importantly shown us in everything she has done throughout her life.
It is because we love so deep in life, that we experience pain in death. But love will always rise to the top, above pain and darkness. It is what keeps us connected, in life and after life. Love always wins.
The late Pat DeMaeyer rested at the Eric F. Nicholls Funeral Home Ltd. 639 Elgin St., Wallaceburg. Following her wishes, cremation and a family celebration of her life will take place. Interment of ashes will be in Riverview Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Thameswood Lodge, London or the Canadian Cancer Society may be left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.ericfnichollsfuneralhome.com.
