‘Friend’ lost

GREATER Dandenong lost “a compassionate friend” when Patricia ‘Pat’ Blashki died on 5 August.
Pat was awarded a 2003 Centenary Medal and an Order of Australia Medal in 1995.She joined the Springvale Benevolent Society 30 years ago when her husband Albert was mayor, and was also a Springvale and District Historical Society member.
Pat counted donations for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal for more than 50 years, organised the World Day of Prayer in Springvale for more than 35 years, and was on the Springvale District Community Hospital board for 17 years.
She helped look after her nearly blind sister for 25 years and, through this contact with the Association for the Blind (Vision Australia) was a volunteer driver and craft teacher for more than three decades.
Pat was named a City of Greater Dandenong Living Treasure in 2005, following Albert’s receipt of the title in 2000, for her long history of community service.
A tribute from the City of Greater Dandenong mayor, councillors and staff said her loving kindness, generosity and love of her family would always be remembered.
“Our city has lost a compassionate friend and we will miss Pat dearly,” the tribute said.
Pat passed away peacefully, aged 90. She was mother and mother-in-law of Anne, Gail and Steve, Philip and Lyn, April and Rob, Mark and Belinda, Adrian and Sonia, and nana to 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.