Patricia Koop (nee Sawatzky)

Obituary

Peacefully, with loved ones at her side, Patricia Koop, at the age of 72, went to be with her Saviour, Thursday, September 14, 2017. She is survived by her husband Larry, their 3 children and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents, parents-in-law, one brother-in-law, two brothers and two sisters. She is also now enjoying spending time with her granddaughter Hope.

She will have been well greeted by Jesus and so many loved ones. I think there’s a fun Sawatzky hen party happening up there with lots of laughter – and of course there’s either crocheting or handwork of some kind and tea with cookies, dessert and possibly a bit of chocolate!

Mom was born into a very loving family. 15 years between her and the next youngest sibling meant she was a novelty and her older siblings spoiled her and loved on her at every opportunity. Mom loved to sing as a youngster and was in the church choir. She took lessons and enjoyed singing in church. She especially enjoyed being part of special numbers with her friend Faith, while living in Camrose, Alberta in the 70’s.

After marrying our dear Dad in 1964, they moved around from Steinbach to Winnipeg, Elkhorn, Calgary, Camrose, Alberta and then back to Steinbach, so that Dad could open up a parts store. Mom was sorry to leave behind the special friends and church the Lord had blessed them with while in Alberta. Their time in Camrose was especially sweet – enjoying snowmobiling,camping and many other friendship adventures.

Once back in Manitoba she took advantage of living close to her aging parents and loved spending time with her sisters and nieces again.

She got a job at the Met store in the Clearspring Mall and later Loewen Windows. She worked hard and stubbornly stuck to it, even when it wasn’t always easy.

Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling and through the years, they often went back to Alberta to visit and participate in ski trips with Dad’s sister, brother-in-law and their family. This was a highlight and there were also trips to Carls Bad Caverns, a Caribbean cruise, the East Coast, Branson and numerous trips to Disney World.

Mom loved flowers and always worked with Dad to make a beautiful yard. Although this last year she was not able to participate in the planting, she still enjoyed the mass of perennials at their front porch and planters and amazing clematis in the backyard. Mom’s main love language was gifts. She was always crocheting, sewing or embroidering something for someone. In the last few years she would crochet squares for blankets that were then donated to Michaels craft store for their mission project. Mom was currently working on a baby afghan to welcome their neighbour’s new baby!

This last year or so when crocheting had become a real challenge for her, she took up colouring and even hosted a couple of colouring parties, gathering her nieces together for a fun afternoon. She also looked forward to the weekly Reimer nieces and nephews breakfast on Monday mornings. She enjoyed these little family gatherings greatly. Mom loved her grandkids! There are seven of them, including Hope who was there to greet her grandma as she arrived in Heaven. She often made beautiful crochet items for her grandchildren and would mend anything that needed it. She enjoyed having them over for night and knew the importance of pouring into their lives as she was able.

A prayer that Mom shared in the Health Sciences ER department at a time when her health status was not doing well and was uncertain, helps to remind us of the strong faith she had in Jesus and of the power of healing through him. The prayer was a reflection on Luke 8:43-48 which is the story of a woman who had been ill for 12 years but had faith she could be healed by Jesus. This is part of what Mom expressed from her heart: “This woman had faith that He would heal her, so she managed to get to Him and touch Him and He healed her. Jesus knew someone had touched his cloak and asked “Who touched me?” … and the woman I think fearfully said “It was me.” Jesus then told her to go and sin no more and I think He meant not to sin no more but to Live for Christ.” Thanks Mom for expressing your faith so openly and confidently and yes, you have been healed!

The family would like to thank everyone who prayed for Mom these last few years – it was needed and felt. She often mentioned how much she felt the prayers. We thank you for loving on her, with phone calls, texts, bringing countless books to and from the church library for her and the visits and food brought to the door. It was all so very appreciated.

Thank you also to Cancer Care, the Bethesda Foundation, and the wonderful doctors, nurses and health care aids that took such good care of our Mom. She appreciated the special relationships she made with many of them.

Memorial service will be held Friday, September 22, 2017 at 3:00pm at the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, 422 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

If so friends desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Patricia may be made to The Bethesda Foundation, 316 Henry Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 0P9 or to Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church, 422 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 with the designation to OHE (in support of an orphanage sponsored by the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church).

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