Celebrating the Life of Patricia Game

Dr. Pat Game, one of Adelaide's most colourful and dedicated anaesthetists, died on June 5, 2004 at the age of 77. Pat was best known to our Wonca family as the devoted wife and partner of Dr David Game, one of Wonca's founding fathers, its first Secretary-Treasurer and home of the Wonca Secretariat, its President from 1983-86, and it's Editor of Wonca News for over two decades.

Pat had an exemplary career in her right. Pat attended medical school at the University of Adelaide, at the age of 16, at a time when few women studied medicine. She graduated in December, 1949, and in the same week married David Game, a fellow student, whom she had met on her first day of University. As a practicing anesthesiologist, Pat was energetic, inventive and hard working. She built up a very busy practice and a loyal following of surgeons and their patients.

Doctors David and Patricia Game

While a consummate professional, family life was of central importance. Pat was very proud of her family and was a loving and caring mother to her four children.

In all their endevours, Pat and David Game worked closely together. Pat was always supportive of and present in David's professional activities, most notably the early development of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the establishment of Wonca in 1972, and its continued development and growth over the next 30 years.

During her last years, Pat was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. She was cared for by David with great love and devotion. Pat is survived by her husband David, her children, Ann, Philip, Tim and Ruth, and six grandchildren.