Obituary of PATRICIA JEAN BALON

Patricia Jean Balon (nee Holliday) passed away June 16, 2024, at St. Boniface Hospital.

She was predeceased by her parents David and Isabelle Holliday.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Ernie; daughter Kristi (Kevin); son Bob (Tammy); and grandchildren Emily, Hunter, and Owen.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to Dance Manitoba. Dance Manitoba | Donate

A tribute to our mother…

Growing up…

Mom was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the north end of the city. When she was young, she took dancing lessons from Merle Phillips. At the age of 11 she got involved with the Winnipeg Blue Bomberettes, where she baton twirled her way through her teens into early adulthood. She spent countless hours rehearsing and performing in Winnipeg at Bomber Games, also travelling to the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, 1965 Grey Cup, Expo 67 in Montreal, and numerous others. Mom even skated on ice while twirling at Schmockey Nights. Mom could barely skate yet somehow managed to do it while twirling a fire baton. Mom was always grateful to Donna Fiala, who created and led this wonderful group, as well as her continuing on as a dance teacher providing Kristi with so many years of wonderful instruction, and memories that have lasted a lifetime.

Through Bomberettes, Mom made lifelong friends, who continue to step up to support each other, and celebrate their accomplishments. Amongst them was Marilyn Lockwood, who sadly passed away seven years ago. Their friendship turned more into family. Auntie Marilyn spent birthdays and Christmases with us, as well as any special event that involved The Balons.

Mom met Diana LeBleu (nee Robinson) at 6-years-old, when they took dancing lessons together. As they grew up, so did their friendship. They stood up for each other as maid and matron of honour at each other’s weddings. Diana’s daughter Patti was named after our Mom. This tribute meant more to her than she could sufficiently find words for. The LeBleu’s have been, and always will be, our chosen family. We have all spent countless hours together near and far - at our family cottage, camping and traveling.

In love…

Our parents met at a social. Mom’s cousin Joan introduced her to this guy named Ernie from the curling club. They immediately knew they had found the one and were married not long after on September 23^rd, 1972. Two years later, in 1974, Kristi was born followed by Bob in 1977. On September 23^rd, 2022, Mom and Dad celebrated their 50^th anniversary with close family and friends. An occasion for which we will all be forever grateful.

From the very beginning Dad was always Mom’s greatest support. Whether it be to cheer her on with her numerous interests, raising children together, dealing with numerous health issue, or just being together. In their latter years, the two have been particularly inseparable, spending numerous hours together. Mom and Dad were happy spending time together, whether it was going out for coffee, spending time with their close friends Alex and Judy Dynkavitch at dinner or at Club Regent, on their traditional August long weekend celebrations at the cabin, or just sitting together watching tv.

A hard-working woman…

Before and early on in their marriage, Mom worked for MTS. When we were little ones, she was a stay-at-home Mom. She eventually got back into the workforce as a Contact Lens Technician downtown at Contact Lens Services and then Henderson Vision Centre (HVC), where she retired from 12 years ago.

The best Mom a child could have…

Mom logged countless hours of driving us to and from our many activities, being our greatest cheerleader, and advocate whenever needed. She was always on the sidelines at endless dance lessons, competitions or performances, bowling, curling or hockey. There are so many cherished memories of family time at the cottage in Winnipeg Beach and camping growing up. There were also family trips to Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis, and our family trip to Disneyland which very closely matched the movie, National Lampoons Vacation. Kristi also spent some of her most memorable moments with Mom on our two trips to New York City. It was just the two of us, taking in the sites and the sounds of Broadway - one of our very favourite pastimes. It was family dinners that made our mother the happiest though. Mom was always there. When Bob was transferred to Saskatchewan for work, Mom, Dad, Kristi, and Grandma went first to clean his new apartment, so it was ready for him to move in.  She told us constantly that spending this time with us warmed her heart the most. Especially when our family began to expand.

The more the merrier…

Mom’s family began to expand when Bob met Tammy and she was welcomed right from the start.  They married a short 6 years later in 2004. Then Kevin came along, and he and Kristi married in 2005. Mom was so happy that we both found our “meant to be’s,” to spend our lives with.

Becoming a grandparent was “just the best” as Mom said herself numerous times. When her first and only granddaughter Emily was born to Kristi and Kevin in 2009, the newly proud grandparents simply couldn’t get enough of her. Mom shared that she had told her co-workers at Henderson Vision Centre that they “wanted to come over constantly to get baby time in, but half expect Kristi and Kevin were going kick us out already, it is so much.” It never was. In 2011 Hunter became Emily’s one and only brother, being a going concern, but always greatly entertaining from the moment he could move. In 2016 Bob and Tammy welcomed Owen into the world, giving his grandparents a third child to love, spoil and keep them on their toes. Possibly even more than Hunter. All three grandchildren got to spend countless hours with Grandma doing whatever they wanted to. It was always very important to Mom that she be up on what it is they were into, so she could be along for the ride in the fun they were having.

Doing for others…

The importance of volunteerism was instilled in us at a young age and was a big part of our mother’s legacy. She logged hundreds of hours for numerous organizations, but far leading the pack was the Red River Exhibition Association. She was involved with the RREX’s Miss Majorette competition, Parade and Summer Show committees, the Board of Directors, and the Youth Talent Competition. The Stars of Tomorrow and Kidz Quest Competitions were near and dear to her heart, as her, Marilyn and Bob Washington were the driving force behind getting the program on its legs, to it thriving for many years. Promoting the talents of youth was always important to Mom. Her years of watching young talent grow brought her so much joy. Her efforts were recognized by the Red River Exhibition Association in many ways, but most notably with a seat on their Honourary Council, and Builder’s Award. The latter of which has been bestowed on very few.

We won’t say goodbye. Only so long…

Clearly not an obituary, instead this has become a eulogy. One that we felt so important to share but couldn’t imagine saying out loud. Mom – We thank you for the memories, that are yours and ours alone. For they recall a multitude of moments that only we will know.

XO

Your only sunshine’s,

Kris and Bob