In Memory of Pat Gaskell

It is with deep regret and sadness that the Club was informed of the passing of our Patron Mrs Pat Gaskell of the Marshbury kennels on the 29th March 2008.

Our thoughts are with her family at this time, she was a much loved and respected individual.

We would just like to thank Catherine Walsh (Pat's Daughter) & family for allowing us to print the eulogy

EULOGY

My Grandma was described by a nurse at St. Annes hospice where she spent her remaining days as an enigma, she has never seen such fight and determination in anybody before. She dealt with her illness privately, never moaning or groaning about how much pain she was in, none of us really knew how bad it was, she never let it show as my Mum and I knew was right to the end. I think you would all agree that she was unique, a one off, an enigma and above all she did it her way,There is an awful lot of people who are going to miss you. Goodbye Grandma

Her life was dogs, starting as a young girl at Albert Sheldons kennels in Romiley where she would cycle everyday from Hyde no mean feat 60 years ago, from her early days with Sealyhams she moved onto Lakeland terriers and finally Pomeranians. She put her life and soul into everything she did, be it breeding, showing or judging she did it to her very high standards and loved every minute of it.

Many of her best friends came from the dog world, many are here today, some unfortunately can’t be with us, but with the words of comfort we have had either via the internet, letter or by word of mouth we know she was well respected and considered a friend by many, many people. From the people we have spoken to she was always available to help or give advice in anyway she could anytime day or night, that was Grandma.

She always liked going to family events whether it was going to Susan’s to meet up with her sisters and brother Ed or going to see the Messiah with Susan and Wendy. Very recently reminiscing with my Mum and I about all those good times we enjoyed when together, going to Llandudno was a particularly favourite time for her.

I bet there’s not one person here who has not got at least one story to tell about her whether it was going to Mary’s house and thinking a bucket of golf balls was a bucket of eggs, (she never enjoyed the best of eyesight) or getting stuck in a snow drift in the middle of nowhere with Derek Smith having been to yet another show. Or with Carol on their way home tearing the judges apart and calling them all the names under the sun because they had had a bad day under them.

In her remaining years she became more and more a part of my Mum and I’s family. Getting involved in our lives and really enjoying it whether it was putting the world to rights with my Dad Steve or joining in the crosswords that we did every night, which got to the point where she wouldn’t go home until they were all done, at time we thought she was asleep but she was just thinking about the answer to a clue.

Before I finish I would just like to mention my Mum who put her life on hold to look after her. On call 24 hrs a day for her and just trying to make her remaining days on earth as bearable as possible (not that she would tell you there was anything wrong with her of course).

 read out by Pat's grandaughter Donna 

Pat's first Champion