May 17, 1933 - December 15, 2022
With sadness we announce the passing of Patricia Laura Ettinger (nee Pritchett) on December 15, 2022 at the Three Hills Long Term Care Centre.
Pat was born on May 17, 1933 in Lloydminster SK to Laura and Sam Pritchett. She was the eldest of four children. Pat and her siblings, Stanley, Jane and Ted, grew up on the family farm near Marsden, SK. In 1950, while Pat was attending high school in Marsden, she met her future husband, Clarence Harvey Ettinger.
Clarence was the Searle Grain Elevator Agent in Marsden and he became a family friend to the Pritchetts who sold their grain through the Searle Grain Company. After many Sunday dinners at the Pritchett farm, Clarence and Pat became “very special friends” and in August of 1952 they became engaged. Pat was to attend Teachers College in Saskatoon over the winter of 1952-53 and Clarence had enrolled in a Radio College of Canada course which began in the fall of 1953. When Pat completed her Teachers College training in Saskatoon in June of 1953, Clarence and Pat were married.
The newlyweds then moved to Toronto where Clarence completed his training and Pat got a teaching job. In the spring of 1954, they returned to Pat’s parental farm home near Marsden where Pat gave birth in July to their son, Lee. Pat, Clarence and baby Lee moved to Saskatoon later in 1954 where Clarence started his radio/TV sales and service business, “Expert TV”. In January of 1961, Pat and Clarence were blessed with a baby daughter, Laura Penelope. In addition to being a mom and wife, Pat went on to have many careers including teaching, journalism, publishing, writing, real estate, retail and tourism. For many years, Pat was the manager of the Saskatoon Tourist and Convention Bureau. She was also active in the community, notably with the Saskatoon Press Club and as a member of the Saskatoon Centennial Committee.
Tragically, Pat’s husband Clarence died in a car accident in 1970. With two school-aged children to raise, Pat’s maternal resilience kicked in as she continued parenting her children and contributing to the community through her work and volunteer activity. In 1977 Pat married Bill Meneley, a widower who was raising 3 daughters, Maureen, Sandy and Donna. Bill’s girls were of similar age to Pat’s children, Lee and Penny. The blended family got along very well and have remained friends over the years.
After Bill died in 2000, Pat moved to Olds and built her house on Lake Ridge where she remained until mid 2022. Pat had many friends and was well known for her hospitality, compassion and “joie de vivre”. She also had a very well developed sense of humour and was quite a prankster in her day. She lived a large life. While in Olds, Pat worked on a few community projects. She was an ardent supporter of the local Legion and she was a frequent patron at the Legion when her mobility would allow. Pat was an avid member of the Writers Group in Olds and thoroughly enjoyed their gatherings and storytelling sessions. She wrote many stories of her life for a collection she called “Grandma Remembers When”. Pat had a close group of friends with which she spent time at a local watering hole in Olds where she enjoyed her coffee with a little liqueur.
Pat is predeceased by husbands Clarence Ettinger, and Bill Meneley, her parents Sam and Laura and by her brother Stanley.
She is survived by her children Lee Ettinger (Paula) and Penny Ettinger (Clarence Green); her grandchildren Max Ettinger (Kassy Corothers), Grace Rose (Greg), Natalie Markut (Glen) and Nick Ettinger (Erin Colwell); her great grandchildren Freddie Ettinger and Eloise Rose. Pat will also be deeply missed by her sister Jane Neufeld by her brother Ted Pritchett (Doreen) and by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family extends their gratitude and thanks to Kathie Laughton, her friend and personal caregiver, and to the staff at Olds Hospital and Three Hills Long Term Care for their attentive, thorough and compassionate care for Pat. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada at Alzheimer.ca.
A memorial service for Pat will be held at 11 a.m on January 12, 2023 at Heartland Funeral Services Chapel,( 5226 – 46 Street Olds.) Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610. Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.
