Obituary of Pat Austin

Patricia Jean Austin (nee Franklin) better known as Pat, age 86, of Milestone, SK, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2024 – after a battle with cancer. 

Pat was born on November 4, 1937 to parents James and Alma Franklin (nee Jones), in a little log cabin near Togo, SK. She was named after a little girl who passed away in the community. Pat’s father was a farmer – renting land near Togo then moving to Poplar Point area to farm where they lived with her Uncle Darce. It was a big day when her dad was able to buy a ¼ section closer to Poplar Point school. A few years later, he bought another ¼ section. Pat attended Poplar Point school, participating in field meets winning many ribbons and crests at Togo and Kamsack, until Grade 8, then had to move to Kamsack where she could get her Grade 12 and take a commercial course. Softball was Pat’s game. She was a member of the “Mypops” and travelled to all the tournaments in Togo, Kamsack and Roblin areas. She was a pitcher, first baseman and center fielder. After graduation, she moved to Regina to work as a stenographer at McCallum Co. On July 26, 1957, Pat married Robert Austin and moved to Yorkton where she worked as stenographer for G.H. Bartlett, CPA until her first child was born in 1960. Patricia was the proud mother to three children whom she raised with much love, fun and open arms. From there her family has only grown bigger to include her children & spouses – grandchildren & spouses and great-grandchildren:

Dwight & Verna Austin of Milestone, SK       

                                               - Dallas & Hayley Austin (Bowen and Hudson)

                                               - Carly & Dallas Bank                                      

Linda & Mel Purves of Hudson Bay, SK          

                                               - Cody & Andrea Purves – (Brielle, Holly, Clark)

                                               - Beau Purves & Lindsay Kushniruk – (Bryer, Layla, Remi)

                                               - Ian Purves & Jordan Hall – (Haylee, Arrow, Jasper)

Cheryl & Les McKenna of Edmonton, AB

                                               - Katelynn & Rajan Mistry

***Patricia’s unfinished work is being able to watch all of them grow on***

---

Pat’s message for her family and friends:

“I believe in resurrection. God is universal and always with me. Just remember that I love you and my spirit will always be with you. Be happy and live each day to the fullest. I found that the most important things in life are free and come from the heart. Material things are not important. I believe that there’s good and bad in every person no matter what color, class or religion they are. I believe in the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. I’m very proud of my family. You have grown up to be very loving and responsible people. You’ve made mistakes along your journey, but you’ve learned from these mistakes, thus making you stronger and fulfilled. Look to the future, never back. If I could live my life over again, I wouldn’t change a thing, I would probably make the same mistakes. In a celebration of my life, I want my family to remember me for my sense of humor, good listening, patience, forgiving, nature lover, open-minded, dependable, sometimes irritating (I’m sure).  Please don’t mourn for me. I am looking forward to seeing the love of my life again (your dad and grandfather).”

---

Pat was predeceased by her loving husband Robert Austin; mother Alma Franklin; father James Franklin; and brother Melville Franklin. Her surviving brother is Robert Franklin.

Pat was affiliated as a protestant member of the United Church of Canada since 1952. She served as choir member, session member, secretary and recording steward of pastoral charge and member-at-large-division of Mission, SK. From 1990-1995 Pat and Robert served as missionary associates at Seibi Gakuin Christian school in Yokohama, Japan where they taught English and sang Japanese in the church choir. They enjoyed many friendships and cultural experiences in Japan and their travels to Thailand, Bali & Singapore.

Patricia was a willing volunteer in every community she lived, Togo, Kamsack, Yorkton, Bromhead and Milestone. She was also a member of Starlite Rebekah Lodge #127-Milestone, Alexandria Lodge #14-Weyburn, Past Noble Grand-Starlite Rebekah Lodge -1969, Past District Deputy President-Nellie Wilkinson Rebekah District #7-1973.

Patricia had many favorite things – her pets, Boots the family cat, Patches a family dog & Flow with her 7 pups. Also, her sewing machine, accordion, garden, bible, memories of those who are no longer with her and pictures of her family. Pat’s hobbies were quilting, crocheting, knitting, sewing clothes for herself and her family, riding her bike, walking, curling and softball. Pat’s favorite places were her garden, the Rocky Mountains, her home, Okanagan Valley and Japan. Her greatest inspirations in her life were her husband Robert, her mom and dad, who sacrificed a lot when they allowed her to continue her education in Kamsack, her friends in Canada and abroad, her children and their families, and the commitment and strength of the Christians in Japan.

May we all love, cherish and remember Pat and celebrate her life.

A Family Celebration of Pat’s life will be held at a later date.