Alice Fitzpatrick (formerly Robb, née Polowick)
26 Aug 1936 – 11 March 2025
In the early morning of March 11, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Mom (AKA “Granny Alice”) – a fun, friendly, feisty, fit 88 year-old who has sadly hiked her last trail, biked her last 50K, and thrown her last dinner party. Alice was truly a force of nature and an inspiration to all who knew her, young and old. Born into lean times in rural Saskatchewan in the Dirty Thirties, she inherited the hard-working homesteader resilience and “can-do” attitude that served her well her entire life. Raising four sons, teaching full-time, earning two degrees at night school (all the while looking fabulous!), she seemed invincible to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Mom enjoyed fitness and an active outdoor lifestyle long before it was “cool”. She attended Normal School, had a full career as a teacher/librarian, and raised her family in Moose Jaw - then sold everything, pulled up stakes, and retired to Comox in her late 60’s. She embraced (and was embraced by) the West Coast lifestyle and quickly developed a large social circle of like-minded active friends of all ages - hiking and biking all over the valley, rain or shine.
Mourning Alice’s passing are her four sons: Brian (Lynn), Curtis (Julie), Ken, and Shawn (Terri); her six grandchildren: Andrew (Gabriella), Eric (Heidi), Katie (Jimmy), Tyler, Haley (Chase), and Parker (Melissa); her six great-grandchildren: Thomas, Nico, Alessia, Winnie, Roman, and Theo – as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends and neighbours.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Unit 4A, Comox Valley Hospital for the exemplary compassion and care shown to Mom in her final weeks. At Alice’s request, there will be no formal funeral. But in her loving memory, it might serve us all well to put on something bright, “get the Hell out of the house”, and put on some miles – believing that she’s just around the next corner
