Patricia Ellen Sim

Patricia Ellen SIM

May 17, 1930 - June 2, 2019

Patricia Sim passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at the age of 89 years in Edmonton, Alberta.

Patricia was born, raised and schooled in Alix, Alberta, as the youngest daughter to Fred and Edith Esther (Garett) McGonigal. Grandpa Garett came to Alberta in 1901 and homesteaded in the Nebraska District. He moved to Alix in 1910 and ran a boarding house, the Nelson Hotel. Patricia worked at the hotel when she was old enough, until she married Norman Sim on October 24th, 1950. Patricia was a Wife, a caring Mother of 4 children (Verna Lee; Neil Walter; Kenneth Norman; Debra Patricia), a Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. She was an amazing Cook, Waitress, Baker (everyone loved her cakes), avid Gardener, Housekeeper and a Farmer's Wife doing whatever was needed. A "Jackie of All Trades".

In her later years, her brothers and sisters would celebrate their birthdays together. Taking turns at one and others house as they went along (Verona & Noyce Boddy, Eldon & Dorothy McGonigal, Willis & Doris McGonigal, Gwynneth & Allan Johnston, Patricia & Norman Sim).

One night, a young Patricia and her sister Gwynneth attended a local dance, where she met the "love of her life" Norman Sim. Norman was home on a short leave from the Royal Canadian Air Force, with his best friend Kenny Knight. They had a chance to go to the local dance in Alix before they were set to go overseas to the European theater and war efforts. Norm always said he walked into the Alix hall and saw a "Va Va Va Vroom”, Gorgeous Blond standing at the front near the stage, and that was that. In later years, Norm and Pat would enjoy Square and Round Dancing on a regular basis as part of the "Nebraska Knot Heads" with trips down east to the big Square and Round Dance Conferences. Pat sewed all their fancy outfits on her sewing machine at home. They would also fly to England where they toured all Great Britain and over to France and later a trip to Las Vegas with Debra and Kenny to see the bright lights and Grand Canyon. Patricia was a wizard at playing crib almost rivaling her brother Willis at the game with almost perfect playing hands. It is the one game she loved the most along with her baking/cooking abilities, while watching The Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and the News channel.

Patricia and Norman married in Lacombe and moved to Tees, Alberta, and shortly after relocated to the farm in the Nebraska District, 5 miles North of Tees. Upon retirement, Norm and Pat moved again, this time back to Pat’s hometown of Alix, and then again to settle in Lacombe. After Norm’s passing in 2015, Pat then moved one last time to Edmonton with her daughter, Debra, to receive continuing care for her health.

Patricia is survived by her children, Neil, Kenny, Debra; adopted daughter, Laurie (Radford) Moriera; her grandchildren, Terry Bambrick, Ashley Ladd, Joshua Sim, Robyn LaFleur, Byron and Randy Bambrick; great-grandsons, Owen, Jace, Cooper, Ethan, Kaden; great-granddaughters, Annika, Shelby, Lorraine, and Eliza along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Norman Sim; beloved daughter Verna Bambrick; parents, Fred and Edith Esther (Garett)(Liggins) McGonigal; brothers, Eldon and Willis McGonigal; and sisters, Verona Boddy and Gwynneth Johnston.
You are Loved and Greatly Missed EVERY DAY Now and Forever Mom !!!

A Celebration of Patricia's Life will be held on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 at the Tees Hall at 11:00 am with a light lunch with tea/coffee. Inurnment to follow at Tees Cemetery. Services provided by Wilson's Funeral Chapel, 6120 Hwy 2A, Lacombe. If anyone would like to request a Candle to take home in honor of Patricia, please contact the funeral home prior to the gathering. 

If friends desire, in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Patricia’s name to the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation in support of the Seniors Care, 10240 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 3V9. https://www.royalalex.org/online-giving/rah/

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