Pat Tiffin, a resident of Thamesville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the age of 85.
Born in Dresden on January 21, 1940, she was the daughter of the late (William) Kensall and (Lura) Vivian (Snyder) Lunn.
Predeceased by her beloved husband, the late Lyle Tiffin (1984). Loving and cherished mother of Tracy Wygiera and Shawn Tiffin, both of Thamesville. Pat will be missed by her grandchildren, Jarrod VanHyfte (Virginia) and great grand-dog, Gadget of Chatham, and Joseph (Alysha) Tiffin and great grandchild, Tekoa Tiffin of Edmonton, Alberta.
Dear sister of Judy (Nelson) Sage and proud aunt of Greg (Georgina) Feys and their beautiful daughters, Olivia and Sydney, all of Thamesville. Predeceased by her mother-in-law and father-in-law Hercules and Goldie (Benjamin) Tiffin. She also will be missed by several nieces and nephews.
Pat enjoyed working for Mildred Featherstone as a young teen and apprenticed under her to achieve her hairdressing license on June 24, 1959. When Mildred decided she wanted to retire, Pat purchased her business (Alure Hairdressing) and continued working as a hairdresser for well over 55 years. She travelled along with her sister, Judy, a fellow hairdresser, to various hairdressing conventions. One year Judy and Pat were fortunate enough to travel to Waikiki, Hawaii for a hairdressing convention. In tow were a couple of girl friends as well, Linda Vale and Gwen Kuiper. When the ladies arrived at their hotel after a delayed flight, they visited the hotel bar to sit and relax. They were just to tired to go out on the town that night. Unbeknownst to them, while they sat and laughed and enjoyed their “beverages”, up on the stage playing in front of them was a band, from where else, but Hamilton, Ontario, a mere 2 ½ hours from their home. Pat valued these fun trips away and also all of her customers. To the date of her passing, she always answered the telephone when it rang, versus letting a message go to the answering machine. Talking to people in the moment, was something important to her. It was a practice she adopted from being in business and self-employed.
On March 2, 1963, she married Lyle Tiffin and they enjoyed taking family vacations down south and out to the East Coast with their two children. They camped and boated out at Mitchell’s Bay for several years. They also loved dancing and hosting house parties where they could entertain and spend time with dear friends. Lyle unfortunately passed suddenly of a massive heart attack in 1984 and Pat was left a widow at the young age of 44.
During her life, Pat had two “claims to fame”. One was being the first female council woman in Thamesville, inducted into office on January 10, 1977, and she served her community well for two – three year terms. It was during her time on council that water and sewage came to Thamesville and during that time several council night meetings went until well into the evening hours (a few until 1:00AM it was remembered). Her other claim was being a Charter member of the Thamesville LaSertoma group, which was formed on June 4, 1977. With this group she enjoyed many new friendships again. The girls had such fun when they hit the road to attend the annual LaSertoma International Convention down in the United States, which were held in various locations each year. It allowed Pat to meet more people and see more places. She was always up for new adventures and fun and loved to be the chauffeur for others.
Pat continued to travel and in 1995 she built a home down south in Golf View Estates, Mission, Texas. Each year thereafter she would go south for 6 months with her longtime friend at the time, the late Grant Marlatt (2021). Together they enjoyed 20 years of being “Winter Texans”. Down south Pat enjoyed line dancing, her Computer Club (which she was a founding member of), crafting, playing Mexican dominoes, bridge and other card games, along with hosting friends at her home by having a garage party whenever there was a special occasion or family from the north made it down south.
When her distance travelling days ended, she enjoyed simple local trips around the area here. She was a great Bridge player and enjoyed Friday afternoon games with the Thamesville Happy Club and Tuesday afternoon games with the Ridgetown Seniors Group. Thursday mornings were set aside for coffee group gatherings up at Fast n’ Fresh. There were some “occasional” day and evening trips to the Casino, alone or with a few other girl friends to see if “Lady Luck” was anywhere nearby on that day. Pat was always up for any outing and new adventure, whether it be a simple drive around the countryside or a good meal out with family or friends.
Her whole life long, Pat valued all of the friendships she had made. She kept in touch with people and cared about others. This was easily done over the telephone or the computer, right up until the day she passed. She was also a lifelong member of the Thamesville United Church.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Fallan Sluys, her VON nurse. Also thank you to Willie Kirenko, for her compassion and care during a difficult time. A big thank you to extended family, as well as the friends and neighbours, who visited faithfully and have supported Mom and our family throughout.
Aquamation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at Royal Canadian Legion Br. 367, Thamesville on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2:00PM – 4:00PM with an opportunity for some fun stories and words of remembrance around 3pm or so. Come and be ready to share your story of her if you dare and feel free to dress casually and wear what’s most comfortable to you. If Pat had her way, she would be at the party too!
In lieu of flowers and food to the house, perhaps you might consider a donation to the Thamesville United Church or some other Charity of Choice. Donations and online condolences may be left for the family at www.lifetransitions
A private family service will be held later in the spring. Interment at Mayhew-Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Thamesville.
“Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again.”
