Obituary of PATRICIA-ANN SHIPLETT

With great sorrow, the family of Patti Shiplett, announce her untimely passing after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Left to mourn are husband Nicholas Jeffrey Stooshinoff, beloved sons Alex and Nicky, mother Ann Shiplett, sisters Marjorie Sutter and Arlene Shiplett, brother David Shiplett, numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends and acquaintances whose lives she touched with her boundless enthusiasm, flair and zest for life. Patti was predeceased by her father Everett and older sister, Heather Solomon and brother-in-law Metro Solomon. Patti was born and raised in North Battleford and after completing high school left for Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. After a year, finding herself looking for other challenges, she moved on to Vancouver and became employed in marketing and sales. She later moved to Alberta and became a realtor. Following a market crash in the early 1980’s she decided to return to Saskatchewan where she enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours in finance. She was determined to become a business woman and worked with SEDCO, The Bank of Nova Scotia and then later as a financial planner with Great West Life. In 1988 she married her husband Nicholas and, while pregnant with their oldest son, they moved to London, England for a year. While in London, Patti attended lectures and took painting classes at the Tate Modern Gallery, the Courtauld Institute of Art and the National Gallery. Patti found that this experience awakened a slumbering passion for art and creativity which she then enthusiastically pursued upon her return to Canada. Patti gave up the world of commerce and became a full-time artist working over the years in various mediums including metal sculpture, plexiglass sculptures, painting and recently video and sound productions. Patti’s passion and hard work produced a large body of unique art which has been displayed in solo and group exhibitions, both public and private, throughout the three western provinces. Many of her pieces are held in public and private collections in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Patti also received a number of corporate and public commissions including the City of Saskatoon and the Government of Saskatchewan. Patti saw art and beauty all around her and strove to create images and perspectives that were new and which gave the observer an opportunity to see the environment in a more spiritual way. She loved nature and the beauty in all things which gave each day a new experience to explore. Patti loved travel and meeting people throughout the world. She also loved to dress in vibrant and colourful prints, and her fabulous shoe collection was the envy of many. Patti was equally comfortable wearing a welder’s mask as she was wearing Ferragamo pumps. She was never afraid of hard work and was committed to environmental protection, re-cycling and saving the bees. Patti was bold and unafraid in life and met her death with the same determination and courage as she lived her life. She will be forever mourned by those who knew and loved her. The family wishes to thank the outstanding nurses and doctors of the Cancer Centre, the Oncology Ward and especially the Bone Marrow Transplant unit who strove so hard to help Patti win her battle with cancer. Their gentle care and compassion was greatly appreciated. Memorial donations may be made to The RUH Foundation (ECP Program) “In memory of Patti” 103 Hospital Drive S7N 0W8 or go to www.ruhf.org to donate online. Proceeds will be used for the acquisition of specialized equipment for use in bone marrow transplant and stem cell transplant patients.