Major Patricia Ann Lavender nee Traynor (Pat) passed away peacefully at Veterans Memorial Lodge in Victoria BC on December 3, 2024 at the age of 88.
Born April 20th 1936 to Bert and Ella Traynor in Kingsville Ontario. Graduated from Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Windsor 1957. Encouraged by her parents to “See the world” Pat joined the R.C.A.F in 1962 and was posted to Churchill Manitoba. Not the “World” she was expecting. Other postings included Marville France, NDMC Ottawa, CFB Gander Newfoundland, CFB Petawawa, Regional Headquarters Winnipeg where she was Matron in Chief for Western Canada and finally CFB Esquimalt in BC.
A highlight of her Military career was in 1970 being appointed the Canadian Nurse to accompany Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne on their tour from Manitoba to the Northwest Territories.
In 1971 Pat married Major Keith D. Lavender the love of her life and became a Stepmother to four teenagers!
Pat took early retirement in 1985 so she and Keith could move to Salt Spring Island BC. Retirement included cruises to Antarctica and Alaska, year-round golfing between Salt Spring and trips to Arizona. With the occasional trip to a casino where Pat managed to stick to her twenty-dollar limit!
Patricia is survived by her sister Cathy (Pat) nieces Heather and Erin, great nieces Ella and Bryn. Step Sons Terry (Sharon) Lavender and David (Myra) Lavender and Grandsons Michael and Daniel, Brothers in Law Dennis (Helen) and Lyle Lavender. Predeceased by stepson Dennis Lavender, stepdaughter JoAnne Lavender and her loving husband Keith.