Tuesday, August 4, 2020
I first met Jim and Pat Van Dyke when I was 12 or 13 years old. They were expecting Peter and had just moved into the house behind our’s in Orchard Park. They knew one of my mother’s bridge partners and she had recommended me as a babysitter. I was both thrilled and probably a little scared at the same time. I sensed the importance of their trust and looked forward to each opportunity they gave me.
Pat and Jim were a true team and knew the value of time together and I was there regularly when they went out to dinner, shopped or were off to Canisius College were Jim worked in the athletic dept. and Pat took classes for yet another degree. Pat was a great mom even though she had the example of her own mom for a brief eight years. Pat was firm, calm and caring as I recall. She was always learning and adapting to changes, challenges, joys and at times, I am sure, disappointments. She took life in stride and I learned a great deal from both of them.
To care for their growing family as I did gave me immense joy and great example in preparing for my own family. Pat may have thought she lived an ordinary life but in reality she did it in an extraordinary way.
Pat Woods Daigler
