Patricia Gail Middlebrook

Patricia (Patty) Middlebrook (nee Soper) of South River, Ontario, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, on May 24th at Health Sciences North in Sudbury succumbed to the injuries she sustained in a car accident. She was a young 79 who had much more living to do.

Mom was born on March 19, 1946 in Sprucedale where she lived for the first 17 years of her life. She was the youngest daughter of Lillian (nee Proctor) and Edmond Soper. Mom was predeceased by her three older siblings, Lillian, George and Shirley. Shirley and Mom were not only sisters but truly good friends.

Mom met the love of her life, Henry Middlebrook, in Sprucedale, Ontario when they were kids. Mom thought our Dad was the handsomest of his nine brothers and decided he was the one she was going to marry. They shared 61 years together, raising their three children Debbie, Kevin and Shelley (Kevin Ladd). Mom and dad were also blessed with seven grandchildren: Dustin, Cody (Corrissa nee Huxtable), Harper (Keri McRae), Bridgett, Tygh, Kiran and Anya and two great grandchildren, Odin and Lillian. The loss of Dad; her husband and partner in November of 2024 was a hard and devastating loss for her.

Mom shared the love of farming with Dad. Over the years, they raised goats, cows, horses, ducks, geese and chickens. As years progressed, Mom focused her attention on chickens, ducks and rabbits with chickens quickly becoming her passion. She leaves behind her two beloved dogs, Waylen and Molly.

Mom was an unassuming woman who had an almost child like curiosity of the world. She was musically talented who loved singing, playing the piano and guitar.

Mom had a beautiful singing voice and would often bring her guitar and to sing at family gatherings. In her youth, she won a singing competition where she was offered a record contract but due to her young age, her parents were not supportive of the pursuit of a singing career. It is a memory that Mom often wondered, “what if”.

Mom was fiercely independent and highly competitive. Her competitiveness was most visible at Fall fair time. Her baking skills - honed by her many years at the IGA bakery department - were on full display where she entered car loads of baked goods pushing out her competitors by the sheer volume of entries. We were proud of our mother and all the awards she won for her baking.

Her passion for Fall Fairs expanded to volunteering for the Powassan and later the South River Machar Agricultural Society where she brought her years of experience in the service industry to support successful fund raising events including “The Everything Sale.” Her presence at the fund raising events and Fall Fairs this year will be sorely missed.

In addition to running a farm, Mom was also a successful business owner whose business adventures included a chip truck which she had for over 20 years, the concession stand at the Sundridge Arena and the cattle sales barn later opening a pizza restaurant and eventually purchasing the Double Decker where she served hand cut fries and homemade burgers to her customers for over 20 years. Mom always took the time to offer a friendly warm welcome to everyone who came through her restaurant doors.

Mom leaves a big void in the hearts of those who loved her. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and her many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

We miss you, Mom and, feel you were taken from us far too soon.

Mom’s cremation has taken place at Forest Lawn Crematorium and arrangements entrusted to Opatovsky Funeral Home Moore Chapel. If you wish to make a donation, please consider your local Humane Society or animal shelter. A celebration of life for both our mother and father will happen in late September, early October.