It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patricia Margaret Woodward (Crews) of Portage La Prairie, who went to be with Jesus in the early morning hours Wednesday, December 20th at the age of 96.
She was born in Hertfordshire, England on March 17th, 1927. She moved to London with her family when her father joined the army when WW2 broke out in 1939. At the tender age of 15, Mom’s bravery and determination was first seen when she volunteered as an (ARP) Warden who patrolled the neighborhoods of London protecting civilians from the danger of air raids. She asked people to “please turn out your lights”. When the war ended in 1945, she moved to the suburbs of London with her family. While traveling home from work on a subway train, she met a handsome Canadian soldier and husband-to-be William Woodward. He noticed her red shoes. Five months later they were married in Middlesea England on February 2nd, 1946. Willy was sent back to Canada and she followed three months later sailing on the HMS Lady Nelson, filled with pregnant and seasick War Brides. She was so courageous for sailing across the world, pregnant with hopes and dreams (and Janet who was born December 2nd, 1946) to build together with Dad a good life. She had moved from the big city life of London to a humble country dwelling in Lavenham, Manitoba. Here their family began in a one room house with no hydro or running water, facing harsh winters with only a horse and cutter. Mom couldn’t even cook and had never used a wood stove. Dad’s big loving family welcomed her with open arms and taught her all she needed to thrive in this new homeland.
With the years the babies came and they moved to Portage. In 1953 Willy joined the Air Force and was sent to Camp Borden, Ontario for training and she was left with five small children, expecting the sixth. Feeling depressed and wondering if this was all there was to life, she answered the door to two preachers who invited her to a special Gospel Meeting. Because of those meetings she accepted Jesus’s love. She remembered the verse “Suffer the little children to come to me” Although already an adult, she felt like God’s little child and came to him.
Since the day she trusted the Lord with her life, she has had peace and quiet. Ok, not quiet. A different piece of mom’s character has been sewn into each of her five sons and five daughters. Like a crazy quilt each unique and seeming random piece came together to make a beautiful family. We all have been touched by her legacy of unconditional love and acceptance.
When Dad and Mom retired to a farm near High Bluff all their children and grandchildren gathered there weekly just to be together as a family. She loved serving her kids and enjoying the company of each one. For Mom and Dad, the more the merrier. Because of those times of building relationships her family is still connected to this day.
She was an avid reader of first and foremost her Bible as well as a selection of British Murder Mysteries. She enjoyed knitting, sewing and quilting, and used her creativity to bless children’s missions around the world. She loved nature, especially animals, birds and gardening. Her greatest love was her 32 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Mom’s life was a life of prayer. She prayed daily for each of her family by name. She also prayed for her church family, governments, relatives and friends. It was motivated by her heart of love and not from trying to be a good person to gain God’s approval. James 5:16 says “For tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer.” We can trust that God has and still will answer the prayers of this humble yet powerful woman.
Mom will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Early in her life when she gave her heart to Jesus, she set the course of her ship for the distant shore of heaven. She was fully assured that her life’s journey would not be without storms and tests but would carry her home where she is today.
She is survived by her children Janet Parker, Andrew (Leidy) Parker, Brooklyn. April (Chris) Williams, Brenden, Kailey. Jason (Sweetney) Parker, Amanda, Wyatt. Derek (Dominique) Parker, Desmond, Zoey. Jasmine. Roger Woodward, Des (Nicole) Woodward, Sierra, Kyeuno. Kurtis (Desiree) Woodward, Makayla, Evan, Nathan, Zoe. Michelle (Kelly) Woodward, Kristin (Taylor), Alice. Jessica (Justin) Elijah. Diane Woodward. Kathryn Woodward. Joyce Woytowich, James (Sherilyn) Woytowich, Makenna, Kaden, Tanarai, Jace. Julie (Geoff) Ford, Austin, Veronica, Shayla. Kevin (Katy) Woytowich, Olivia, Charlie. Judy Redden, Will (Norma) Redden, Micheal. Brittany (Wayne) Liebenberg, Liam, Benjamin, Caroline, Madilynn. Chelsea Redden (Colin), Mason, Noah. Jaxxon. Antonio. Suzanne (Allan) Hale, Emma, AJ. Robin Woodward (Maryann), Sherry Woodward, Brandon. Sandralynn Royea-Woodward (Max) Michael, Brittney, Seth. Ron Woodward. Jennifer (Rick) Harris, Paige, Zachary, Megan. Danny (Janice) Woodward, Christine (Clint) Aymont, Samantha (Roque) Lacroix, Jordan Aymont (Jayden). Clint (Candice) Woodward, Sydney, Hailey, Blake, Tessa. Donna (Brent) Irwin, Adam (Alissa) Irwin, Ciara, Emery, Lucy. Miles (Breanne) Irwin, Colby, Leah, Baylie, Sawyer. Luke (Brynn) Irwin, Jaxx, Ari, Lane. Jesse (Carrie) Irwin, Kyla, Khloe. Matthew Irwin, Grady. Tony (Judy) Woodward, Ashley (Mitch) Brennan, Gage, Londyn. Brody Woodward (Crystal), Brinley, Kaydance, Seth. Angela (Dale) Martens, Kyle (Olivia) Martens, Chad Martens. David (Lili) Woodward, Ethan Woodward, Nathaniel Woodward, Josiah Woodward, Kaleb Woodward, Ryley Woodward. She also leaves to cherish her memory, many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral Service will take place this Friday, December 29th at 1pm at River Road Gospel Hall, Portage la Prairie. Viewing will take place from 12 – 1pm.
A Private Family interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Portage la Prairie, MB.
Ronald Moffit Memorial Services in care of arrangements.