PATRIARCHE

Lorraine “Gail” Patriarche’s warm smile, gentle spirit and artistic talent will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched, though she passed from our sight on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg.

The daughter of Fred and Marjorie (Mills) Farmer, Gail was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada but spent many of her adult years in Whitby, Ontario prior to her move to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

She has sketched and painted all her life and is a self-taught watercolour artist who has learned by painting mainly on any realistic outdoor subject with a flair for colour and depth. Gail worked as a Graphic Artist for National Research Council in Ottawa then General Foods in Toronto, her first start in commercial art, and remained in that field for the rest of her life.

She returned to Fine Art when she moved to Lunenburg. Her soft but strong detailed watercolours tend to be landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife paintings. Gail also has a reputation for painting the interesting architecture of Lunenburg County and surrounding areas in the Maritimes. She has a large following and has sold extensively across Canada, the United States, England and Spain.

Gail is survived by her loving husband, John; daughter, Julie Thomson (Oregon, USA); son, Carl (Charleen) Thomson, Blockhouse; grandchildren, Melody, Allura and Samantha and great grandsons, Tristan and Cayden. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by daughter, Sherry Rhodes and grandson, Christian.

Arrangements are under the care of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy 3, Lunenburg. A service to celebrate Gail’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital (Hospice Care), Lunenburg.