June 4, 1940-April 29, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that in the early morning hours on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Patricia Anne Lavoie (Armstrong), our beloved wife, mother and nana, passed away from complications of heart disease. She died peacefully surrounded by loving family members. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former students and community.
Born on June 4, 1940, the youngest of 11 children, Pat was born to Cora and Kitchener Armstrong in Chapleau, Ontario. Born into a railroad family, she spent many years living in various towns in Ontario before settling in Marathon, Ontario where she met the love of her life, Maurice Lavoie. She went to Teacher’s College in Thunder Bay in 1957 and worked for many years as an elementary school teacher in Heron Bay and Marathon. She went back to school and graduated from Lakehead University with a degree in Psychology. Over the years, she continued her lifelong passion for learning by taking educational courses focused on Learning and Child Development, in addition to working full time and being a full-time wife and mother. She was a class act who spent her years as a classroom teacher working in stiletto heels and suits. She considered teaching a calling not a job.
Pat will be remembered for the impact she had on so many people, particularly her students, her colleagues and family members. Her deeply caring and kind nature, mixed with a whole lot of sass, made her a delight to be around. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved. Pat was an active member of her church and her faith was solid. An avid reader, Pat devoured books and was a familiar face at the library in Marathon. She loved swimming at the pool and doing exercises at the Rec Hall in Marathon with the Seniors. As an active member of the Seniors’ group, she loved to play cards and to partake in social events. Always willing to volunteer her time, Pat spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Wilson Memorial Hospital.
On February 23, 1963, she married her true love Maurice, and they were fortunate to be able to spend 63 wonderful years together. Their years together produced two children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Their “family” included so many other people and they considered themselves fortunate and their lives were enriched by this. Pat and Maurice spent their years together living at 11 Birch Street. They considered their little home their palace where they both were avid gardeners. Early on in their marriage, they bought a camp at Cedar Lake and many memories continued to be made there with family and friends. In particular, were the memories of the annual “teachers’ parties” they held there. For over 20 years, they wintered in Florida where they continued making memories and friends. Card games, drinks around the fire and hitting the flea markets were common occurrences. The last years were spent quietly at “home”, and they often visited Robbin in Thunder Bay and Debra in Ilderton.
Pat is survived by her loving husband Maurice; her children Robbin (Kathy) and Debra (Dan); her grandchildren Cody (Val), Olivia (Nicole), Gillian (Buddy) and Marissa; step-grandchildren Jonathan (Melissa) and Ashleigh (Jesse); great granddaughter Thora and step-great grandchildren Ella, Paige, Hailey, Isaac and Spencer; and, multiple nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, siblings and nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Pat will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Holy Saviour Catholic Church at 11:00. A luncheon will be provided by the Catholic Women’s League after the service. Burial will happen at a later date. For those planning to attend, we would ask you to dress in bright, colourful clothes as Pat loved bright colours.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northern Cardiac Fund, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. On-line condolences can be made at www.sargentandson.com.
