Patricia Gayle Day (nee McPherson) was born in Lethbridge, AB on June 10, 1944, second of five children to William “Gordon” and Jessie “Leona” (Sloan) McPherson. Her Dad was originally from Govan, SK, but was temporarily stationed in Lethbridge in the Air Force during World War II, which is where he met her Mum. After the war, they moved to Spalding area into a two-room log cabin and then to the McPherson farm three miles south of Spalding. They had a mixed operation where everyone had their chores before and after school. Mum took her early years of schooling at Sunnyview country school across the road from the farm, which was McPherson property. The latter years were taken at the school in Spalding. Mum loved sports, especially track & field, baseball and curling. She was an active member in 4-H, was a waitress in the local café in Spalding, worked at the theatre and babysat around the area. She travelled to Fort McLeod one summer to work in a bakery.
Mum received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) degree at Kelsey in Saskatoon in 1963 and took her practicum at the hospital in Estevan. In 1965, she accepted a position at the Coronach Union Hospital, where she worked with Emma Day and later, she met Dad. Mum and Dad were married in 1966 in Coronach. Colette was born in Coronach, and they remained there until Dad accepted an assistant manager position in Stoughton at the Credit Union in 1968 and then to Gull Lake as a manager in 1969. Lynette and Mardon were both born while living in Gull Lake. Mum went back to nursing when Mardon was a couple of years old and remained nursing at the Gull Lake Hospital until its closure in 1994.
Mum was a member of the Kinette Club, Gull Lake Legion Auxiliary, Brownie leader, Sunday School teacher at the Knox United Church as well as a member of Glad Hearts. She enjoyed curling locally and with the Gull Lake Legion Auxiliary team and going to Telemiracle with the Kinsmen & Kinette’s. Mom also enjoyed music, dancing, golfing and cheering for the Montreal Canadiens. Many summers were spent at the trailer at Antelope Lake, season tickets to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and to Craven for the Big Valley Jamboree. Mum happily followed all of her children and grandchildren around for all the different sports and activities. Mum was blessed with 4 beloved grandchildren, Jesse (Lynette), Justyn (Mardon), Ryan & Emma (Colette) and 1 cherished great-grandchild Jacob (Justyn).
When Dad retired from the Credit Union, they retired to Red Deer, AB for a couple of years and then they built their home in Sylvan Lake in 1997. Dad passed away in September 2004. Eventually, Mum moved to Naicam, SK with her high school sweetheart (Ingval Guttormson) and then moved back to Sylvan Lake after he passed away in 2008.
Mum passed away on August 23, 2025 in Sylvan Lake, AB. There will be a graveside service at Dovre Cemetery near Spalding, SK on October 11, 2025.
Mum will be dearly missed by her family - Colette (Roland) Evans, Lynette (Shannon) Vey & Mardon Day, Grandchildren – Jesse Vey, Justyn Day (Emma), Ryan Evans & Emma Evans, Great-Grandchild - Jacob. Sister – Delma Smith, Brother – Robert McPherson, Sister-in-law, Valerie Rousseau, Brother-in-law Donald (Anne Marie) Day, numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Greg and partner Ingval, parents – Gordon & Leona McPherson, Sisters – Bonnie (Roy) Holt, Judi (Edward) Gusnowski, Brother-in-law – George Smith, Nephew – Kevin Holt, Parents-in-law – Marv & Emma Day, Sister-in-law – Shirley (Ralph) Kupper, Brother-in-law – Claude Rousseau, Nephew – Rod Kupper.
The family would like to thank everyone for all their care and concern during this difficult time. Any memorial donations to Ronald McDonald House would be appreciated by the family.