HOWARD – Pat Ditmars, 77, of Howard, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 16, after fighting bravely against cancer.
The first child of Jack and Georgie Burn, Pat grew up in Montreal and graduated from Ontario Bible College. She was fluent in French and had a call to missions. She worked in Africa over a period of ten years during the ’70s. She helped translate the New Testament into Gourma, one of the native languages of Burkina Faso. In Niger, she hosted Bible studies for women and worked in the mission office.
Returning from Africa in 1980, Pat earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Houghton College in New York. When she applied to Christian schools in Canada, her resume was forwarded to Columbus Christian School, which offered her a position that she accepted. She drove down from Montreal in an old car, a few pieces of furniture and barely enough money to make it to her first paycheck. At the school, she made friends with Nina Helene, the sister-in-law of the man who would become Pat’s husband.
After getting married to Robert Ditmars, Pat taught at Worthington Christian School for several years. She retired from teaching to be a full-time mom when the couple adopted their infant sons, Trevor and Luke. Pat home-schooled her sons, taught Sunday School classes and was active in Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Pat was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She always sought to instill in her children and grandchildren the love of God. She was a Proverbs 31 woman: “Her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts in her. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Strength and honor are her clothing.” She is loved by many and will be sorely missed.
Pat is survived by her husband, Robert; sons, Trevor and Luke; daughter-in-law, Markie; and grandchildren, Bentley, Layla and Charlotte. Pat’s sister, Joyce, lives in British Columbia.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Margaret Patricia Ditmars.
