Obituary of Patricia Anne Dobbyn

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden, unexpected loss of Patricia (Pat) Anne Dobbyn (Hutton). She passed away in Winnipeg on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the age of 74.

Pat is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband of 54 years, Doug; daughter Stacy and partner Trevor Mitchell; daughter Lindsay and husband Bryan Enns; grandchildren Skyler, Conner, Mackenzie and Madlyn (Maddy); brother William (Bill) Hutton and wife Debra; sister-in-law Barb and husband Brian Onslow. Pat is predeceased by her mother and father, Edith (Betty Lyon) and William (Bill) Hutton; brother James (Jim); father-in-law and mother-in-law, Albert (Al) and Phyllis (Quane); brother-in-law, Donald (Don) and sister-in-law, Carol.

Pat was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1950 to William (Bill) and Edith (Betty) Hutton. As the second of three children, and the one daughter in the family, Pat always said she was the favourite. She and her brothers had a close relationship and were active kids. The family moved from Fort Garry to North Kildonan to St. James areas of Winnipeg where they finally remained.

Pat graduated from Tec Vocational High school in 1968. Soon after her graduation, Pat started working at Manitoba Hydro as a secretary. Through Hydro is where Pat met Doug, who was working as a linesman.  They had an immediate connection and fondness for each other and married within 6 months on October 3, 1970. Pat and Doug would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year.

The first home of Pat and Doug was a modular home at the Downs Trailer Park in Winnipeg where they lived for 6 years. In 1976, Pat and Doug bought their first house on Fernleaf Drive in Winnipeg. The house on Fernleaf is where Pat and Doug created the most loving and welcoming home that Doug still lives in to this day. This home was, and still is, the center for numerous get-togethers, events, BBQs and pool parties not only hosted by Pat and Doug, but by their daughters and their grandchildren. Pat made the Fernleaf home a safe, fun and comfortable place for all that knew the Dobbyn family. The door was always open. Pat’s Pool was one of Pat’s favourite places to spend her time. If you weren’t sure where Pat was on a warm summer day, there was a high probability you could find her lounging on a floater in her pool reading a book.

Pat loved to travel. Her favourite place was to Isla Mujeres in Mexico where she and Doug would travel with their friends to spend weeks on the beach.

Pat was a proud mother to her two daughters, Stacy, born on September 18, 1975, and Lindsay, born on January 31, 1978. Pat had a close bond with both of her girls, considering them two of her best friends.

While a proud mother, there is no doubt that Pat’s greatest pride and joy were her grandkids, Skyler (born January 23, 2003), Conner (born October 14, 2004), Mackenzie (born April 22, 2006) and Maddy (born January 14, 2009). They all had an extremely close relationship with Grandma, spending countless hours playing games at Grandma and Papa’s kitchen table, swimming in the pool together, or just watching a movie or sports on TV. There wasn’t a day that went by that Pat didn’t communicate with her grandkids whether it be in person, facetime, a phone call or a text message.

Pat was the biggest cheerleader to her daughters and then for her grandchildren up until the day she passed. She rarely missed a school event or sports game. Pat will fondly be remembered on the sidelines cheering loudly for the entire team, her bright smile and her positive praise for each athlete when she saw them after a game. Most recently, Pat will be remembered for her special lawn chair that she would bring into the gym for Maddy’s volleyball matches and the pompom that was given to her only 6 days before she passed to cheer for Winman Surge during their tournament in Brandon.

Pat worked as a Mary Kay consultant from 1978 to the early 1990s where her hard work earned her the infamous ‘Pink car’. Friends of Lindsay and Stacy’s still talk about this car which transported so many of them from sports, school functions and social events. Shortly after leaving her position with Mary Kay, Pat started to work with and was one of the key starters of the Opticians Association of Canada, where she dedicated her career until she retired in 2018. Pat made numerous connections and friendships throughout her time with Manitoba Hydro, Mary Kay and the Opticians Association, many that remain to this day.

Pat was a pillar of the community with her active involvement as a volunteer at her local community centre. Greendell Community Centre was like a second home where Pat gave countless hours taking on the roles of coach, team manager, ringette convenor, secretary/treasurer on the board, winter carnival convenor and more.

Pat’s dedication to volunteerism continued as her daughters got older and involved in fastpitch at a higher level with Bonivital and then Smitty’s organizations. Pat, lovingly called Momma Dobbalyna or Momma Dobbyn, was team manager for both Stacy and Lindsay’s teams and was chair of National Championships that took place in Winnipeg. Pat was also the chair of the sport of Softball at the Pan Am Games that took place in Winnipeg in 1999.

Pat was awarded the Mo Simcoff Memorial Award in 2000 by Softball Manitoba for Outstanding Contribution or Performance in the Senior Women's Category and was inducted into the Smitty’s Fastpitch Organization Hall of Fame in 2007, for her significant contribution to its growth and development from the early 1990s to early 2000s.

Pat was the mother to two daughters and grandma to four grandchildren but was a second mom and grandma to countless kids throughout her life. Grandma Pat was well-known for giving the biggest of hugs, lending an ear, sharing a drink, and just being there at any time she was needed even when the recipient was not aware they needed her.

One of the most special sentiments that Pat shared with her grandkids was ‘Love You Most’. This was always the end of a conversation, and it was always a competition to see who could say it last before they hung up on the other, ran out the door, or drove away. This is such a special sentiment that signifies their relationship that Pat had it tattooed on her forearm in her handwriting along with 4 hearts, each drawn by one of her grandkids.

Pat, Mom, Grandma, Grandma Pat, Momma Dobbyn, Momma Dobbalyna… you left an incredible mark on this world. Your kindness, strong-will, generosity and contagious laugh will be remembered forever. You were so very loved. Rest easy; we will be okay. LOVE YOU MOST.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, May 30^th at 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Greendell Community Centre, 75 Woodlawn Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba.