Patty was born in 1962 in Edmonton and passed away suddenly on June 21, 2024 in Calgary from an aortic dissection.
Patty was first and foremost a great mother to Nick (31) and Erin (28) and she loved them more than anything. Patty had the ability to enjoy the journey and appreciate the little things in life. A favorite piece of family lore is how she passed the time in our car rides to Canmore by creating the mythical "Paul and Mark Stories", two fictional young brothers who consistently got into problematic situations, always leading to hilarity. It was a unique way to transmit her humour, creativity, sense of adventure and love of language to her children.
Patty embarked on a career as a tax lawyer after earning a law degree at the University of Toronto (Class of 1988). She practiced at Stikeman Elliott in Toronto, then at Bennet Jones and McLeod Dixon in Calgary. Her U of T classmates and fellow Stikeman's first-year lawyers had a special bond and Patty remained lifelong friends with many.
Patty made all things food and drink a passion and a hobby for our family and it was a central part of all our lives and travels. The magic happened in her kitchens in Toronto, Calgary, Martha's Vineyard and Victoria where she cooked, entertained and held court. Our dinner parties in Toronto were legendary: we'd use every dish we owned and laugh that the best parties ended with guests sleeping over. Last summer Patty fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to cooking school, surviving a three-week sweatshop with her good friend Iain at Ferrandi in Paris. If Patty could have just one more day, it would be spent in her kitchen cooking with Nick, Marie (34) and Erin, her best girlfriends sitting around the island talking about each other's lives and Vincent pouring the red wine and playing music.
Patty's book club celebrated its 29th anniversary and is a true sisterhood and community; members support each other and their families through thick and thin. Through fate, Patty spent her last evening with her 10 best bookies drinking wine and sharing. Patty cherished the friendship of these amazing women, as well as knowing the lives of their children and partners.
Patty's Dad George, passed away when she was nine, leaving Joan (90) as a single mother who sacrificed everything for her children, setting an example that shaped Patty's life. Patty was lucky to have Joan's sister Claudia (84) as a second Mother figure. Patty especially remembered the generosity and shared experiences of their ski trips to Jasper – she thought Claudia and Glenn (84) "really knew how to live life". During her childhood Patty and her siblings, Bob (65) and Colleen (59) were able to freely roam the neighborhood with their friends. Grandparents, Nick and Rose, were a few doors down to shower them with love and treats.
As Claudia was to her, Patty was a second mother figure to Colleen's children, Laura (24), John (23) and Adam (23), to her sister-in-law Leanne (64) and Bob's (71) children, Brendan (40), Rebecca
(38), Joshua (32) and Amy (27). Patty's immediate family also includes her cousin Kevin's wife, Angie (51) and their children Sarah (22) and Riley (19), Vincent's brother, Jay (63), wife Shirley (65) and children. Brandon (34) and Derek (28), and Vincent's sisters Sandra (58) and Debra (52) and Debra's husband, Stephen (59).
Patty was a lifelong learner and had many interests in addition to cooking and books. These included gardening, flowers, cycling, yoga, movies/tv, travelling, cats, sewing, grocery stores and markets, beer, wine and coffee, hardcopy newspapers and, studying French. She enjoyed watching sports: particularly tennis with John and Chrissie, cycling with Phil and Paul, and the Boston Bruins with Jack and Brick
Patty was a friend and caregiver. She was dedicated to three of her best friends who passed away over her life: Jackie, Jane and Belinda. Patty contributed for 10+ years to helping the single mothers at Highbanks Society.
Patty and Vincent Chahley (62) had a lifelong romance, were best friends and travelled the world together. Nick, Erin, and I will miss you every day of our lives.
A very special thanks to the team that cared for and assisted Patty on her final day, including the RCMP Sergeant Daryl Smith, STARS Air Ambulance, Drs Lendrum, Bromley, Adams, Gelfand and their teams at Foothills Hospital, and Dr. Cain and the Helios Clinic. We are lucky to live in Alberta with such amazing care, people and community.
In lieu of gifts we have set up a donation to STARS Air Ambulance in Patty's name. We know that Patty would also like it if anyone who is so inclined (and has not already done so) to sign their organ donor card.
A church service for Patty will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 5 at St. Michaels, 800 – 85th Street SW Calgary. Those who cannot attend in person can join a live stream on the St. Michaels You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/StMichaelCatholicCommunity
There will also be a Celebration of Life for Patty the evening of July 5 at the Chahley family home, - if you wish to attend please email chahley@mac.com for details. She was very clear that she wanted more of a party than a wake, so come to celebrate a life well-lived.
