Obituary of Patricia Jane Reicker
Patricia was born in Sussex on March 10th, 1964; she was the daughter of Janet Anzonetta (Fox) Reicker of Fredericton and the late Donald Borden Reicker of Saint John. She was the second of the four “Reicker girls” otherwise fondly known as “crabby” by her dear friend Lori.
Trish was involved in many activities and organizations during her childhood such as Brownies, Girl Guides, figure skating, and hand bell choir.
There were many camping trips throughout the summers with the Websters, the Hoggs, the Harringtons and the MacVeys to Fundy Park, Belleisle Bay, and the Pine Cone. Often times on the camping trips Elizabeth and Patricia would bring friends, Wendy and Lori Alexander. On one occasion the four girls were sleeping in a tent beside the trailer when a torrential rain occurred. The four of them ended up in the trailer with Donnie, Janet, Jennifer, and Judy. The accommodations were cozy to say the least.
As we grew older we “seasoned” at the Pine Cone. Trish and Elizabeth spent a lot of time in the pool across from the trailer learning how to swim. Trish loved the water and obtained her lifeguard accreditation and was always fond of a great tan & being anywhere near the water.
As the girls got older and mom & dad continued to camp, the girls often decided to stay at home to be with friends, work, and do their own things. Trish was often told “you’re in charge” as Liz was already living in Montreal. As soon as mom & dad would leave, Trish & Judy would come up with their weekend plans, leaving Jennifer to be the “one in charge”. Poor Jennifer.
Over the years one of us would run into someone outside of Sussex and for some reason, maybe the “Reicker nose”, they would ask are you related to the Reickers from Sussex?
Patricia was a gifted athlete. Besides her love of swimming, she played lots of softball, basketball and volleyball, including playing for the Mount Allison Mounties University team.
A fond memory was the many summers that Mom and Dad parked the trailer outside of Simonds Arena or at Fundy Park so the four girls could attend figure skating school or spend an amazing summer at the park going on trails, enjoying the salt-water pool or spending our days with Mary Michah. Mom often refers to the times when dad “left her with four girls in the trailer” (he was teaching summer school by the way) with no car and strange boys leaving the rink at all hours of the night and her putting our backpacks on in the morning and us going off for our next Fundy adventure.
She loved her step children & children dearly and was always so proud of all of their accomplishments. Joel was born in 1985, Bridgette in ‘87, Jenna in ‘94, Joseph in ’97, and Logan in 2000. Patricia always wanted a big family and was thrilled to be blessed with five thoughtful, kind children.
Patricia always valued family and would often drop in on relatives to say hi when she was reading metres for NB Power. Trish always knew who was related to whom and what was going on with everyone in our family.
Patricia will always be remembered for her sensitive nature, her love of family and her hard work ethic. She was incredibly smart and talented with a sometimes sarcastic and dry sense of humor (she gets that from her dad). Along with sports, she had a love for the sun and of course the love for her children and Mike.
We love you and will promise to let the amazing memories that we have of you live in our hearts and your children’s hearts forever. We hope your rest in peace.
Trish will live on in the hearts of her mother, Janet Reicker now of Lower Millstream; her husband Michael Dunfield, five children: Jenna Dunfield and Randy Williams of Sussex, Joseph Dunfield and Amy Beers of Sussex, Logan Dunfield of Sussex, Joel Dunfield (Christy) of Sussex, Bridgette and Adam Sherwood of Quispamsis;
three sisters: "Liz" Elizabeth MacIntosh and her husband Alan of New Glasgow, Jennifer Reicker (Lisa) of Sussex, Judy Reicker-Thede and her husband Jason of Toronto;
two grandchildren: Olivia and Richie; her uncle Wayne Reicker, her aunts: Marie Jardine, Ella MacLeod, Audrey MacLeod, Nellie Layden, and Grace Dunfield, her nieces and nephews: Shannon (Matthew), Lauren (Aaron), Shaun and Brianna; as well as by several cousins.
Patricia Jane Reicker of Sussex passed away on August 27th, 2015 at the age of 51. She is predeceased by her dad in 2005.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00
A service celebrating Trish’s life will be held from St. Paul’s United Church on Monday, August 31st at 10:00 am followed by a reception at the home of Ella MacLeod, Penobsquis.
If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended Mental Health, Transition House or St. Paul’s United Church.
www.wallacefuneralhome.com
