Pat (Blanche) Russell

Born in 1924, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Pat Russell (nee: Moore) left this world on April 8, 2026, two days before her

102nd birthday on April 10 after living a long and interesting life.

As a young teen she lost her Father and the following year during a bombing raid, the family home was reduced to rubble at the beginning of the war. 

(they lived close to the Belfast shipyard) Showing the courage and fortitude that was to be her trademark for the rest of her life,

she became the family’s strength.  She worked during the day and went to school at night. 

Both she and my Father worked for British Intelligence in post war Germany.  She had specialized training at Bletchley Park in England,

also learning German in order to do the intelligence work.  She also became a mother when she gave birth in a British Military hospital

in Hamburg, Germany.  As she stood at the bottom of the steps of the hospital (while in labour) with her husband in tow, a very efficient

British Nursing Sister met them and crisply announced in a clipped British Accent, “You may dismiss your husband now please.”

The hospital was not set up for Obstetrics, so she was whisked away into a cell-like room and left to endure her labour.

 Every now and then a nurse would pop in to see how things were progressing.  Four hours later I showed up.

We eventually left the UK and immigrated to Canada in 1951.  This move brought with it many challenges as moving to a

new country can do, with Pat rising to the occasion and meeting every challenge head on.

I moved to the Okanagan after my marriage ended, thinking I’d help Mom out but little did I know that the tables would turn

and it would be Mom who also helped me.  When I had a hard time finding work, Mom would say “They think you are over qualified.  Well, it’s their loss”.   

When I moved to a polluted small town to sell a tacky housing project and then left because I couldn’t breathe,

Mom said, “Well, it wasn’t good for you anyway.  You are better off away from there.”

When I was sad after a wonderful man in my life died, she walked beside me every step of the way having

suffered a similar loss 37 years prior when my Father died at age 69.

Every now and then I’d mysteriously find $10 or $20 in my pocket and when I asked her if she had made the donation,

she looked at me with feigned surprise and innocence giving me a big smile while her eyes were saying something different.  “No dear”

Last year after she became 101, she moved into a long-term care home and her life changed.  While she did her best in trying

to adapt to her new environment, it was a challenging journey for her.  Thank you to all staff who helped her.  All kindnesses were noticed and appreciated.

Mom was known for her daily walks and for smiling the whole time.  She was a beautiful soul, inside and out, always with a smile on her face.

She was kind, thoughtful, caring, warm, helpful and full of delightful Irish stories.

She left this world quietly and peacefully two days short of turning 102. 

Mom defined the word stubborn; perhaps it was part of her Irish heritage.  She was a tenaciously strong, but yet

gentle woman and was loved very much by everyone who knew her.

At her request, there will be no celebration of life.  If you would like to do something in her memory,

you could make a donation to the Hospital Foundation or any other place where extra money would be beneficial.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: