The Patterson Family

Elly on the Phone

Elly Patterson

Elly Patterson juggles the daily duties of being a dedicated mom and wife and a willing ear to friends. While sometimes wishing for nothing more than a few quiet minutes to herself, she thrives on being involved and active. We are endeared to her as she demonstrates, in her humorous way, that it's okay to be human while juggling life's demands—even when her Superwoman T-shirt is in the laundry!

More About Elly
John sneezes his glasses off

John Patterson

John is Elly's devoted and steadfast counterpart. He is a dentist, a role he takes seriously. His work comes second only to his family. John's forward thinking makes him an innovator and instigator. "You don't know if you can do it if you don't try." He may seem to take a back seat sometimes, but it's his strength of character and calm demeanour that keeps the family "on track."

More About John
Michael types on his laptop

Michael Patterson

Michael is now a university student, coming home for the summer to work and to be close to his family (and save money on rent!) He's looking forward to becoming a journalist and is starting to dip his toes into professional waters—while still making plenty of time to party.

More About Michael
Elizabeth drinks pop and lets out a belch

Elizabeth Patterson

Elizabeth likes to be involved. There is always something going on around the house, and by following her family around, she is sure to find something she can help with! Whether it is working in the garden and kitchen with her mom, taking an interest in Michael's phone calls, helping with little April, or finding out what Daddy is looking at in the newspaper, Elizabeth thrives on being with people.

More About Elizabeth
April hand-feeds a little bird

April Patterson

April Patterson is a cute, vocal and active baby who was born during an ice storm on April 1st. She was a surprise addition to the family. Forty-year-old mom, Elly, was not planning on getting back into the diapers-and-sleepless-nights mode at her age, but now that April has arrived, Elly and the rest of the family couldn't be happier. She was meant to be!

Edgar the dog sitting nicely.

Edgar

Edgar is Farley's son by way of Connie's dog Sera. Farley got out of the backyard one day and the result was a litter of pups.

Grandpa Jim, an older man in a green shirt.

Grandpa Jim

Grandpa Jim Richards was Elly's father. He played guitar, harmonica, piano and zither.

Marian, an older woman with her hair in a bun and glasses.

Grandma Marian

Marian was Elly's mother. She was an excellent calligrapher.

Uncle Phil in a red sweater.

Uncle Phil

Phil is Elly's brother. He is a professional trumpet player and music teacher. He ate a lot of gummy bears while quitting smoking.

Aunt Georgia with short brown hair in a bob.

Aunt Georgia

Georgia married Uncle Phil. She is an audiologist at a hearing clinic. Her parents claimed they almost named her "Mississippi," but picked "Georgia" at the last minute.

Grandma Carrie, an old woman with short, curly hair.

Grandma Carrie

Carrie was John's mother. She loved to knit, crochet and tat.

Grandpa William, an old man with a long face.

Grandpa William

William was John's father. He was a miner who spent a lot of time underground. He loved mystery novels, especially Agatha Christie.

Spoiler Zone

Keep reading to see more major characters from the later years of FBorFW.

If you haven't read the entire strip, you may want to skip this section!

Farley finds a flea

Farley

Farley was the first Patterson pet. They adopted him from their neighbour, Thelma Baird, who tugged Elly's heartstrings by claiming he was the runt of the litter and needed extra love.

In memory of Farley
Mister B the rabbit, happy.

Mr. B

Mr. B was purchased by Elizabeth at a farm auction when she was visiting her aunt and uncle's farm in Manitoba. Elly and John were surprised to see her return from her trip with a new pet in a carrier!

Butterscotch the rabbit, jumping.

Butterscotch

Butterscotch was given to April by a classmate whose mother didn't want a pet in the house.

Elizabeth's grey cat Shiimsa.

Shiimsa

Elizabeth took in a stray kitten while living in Mtigwaki and named her Shiimsa, which is Ojibwe for "little friend from the animal kingdom."

Dixie the sheltie, lying down with her tongue out.

Dixie

Dixie was Grandpa Jim's collie, whom the Pattersons adopted briefly while Jim settled into his new home.

Deanna is a white woman with short blonde hair.

Deanna Sobinski-Patterson

Deanna is Michael's wife. The two met in elementary school and Michael developed an instant crush. She has a sister named Andrea, who only appears at Mike and Deanna's wedding.

Meredith is a young white girl with blonde hair.

Meredith Patterson

Meredith is Mike and Deanna's eldest child. Her nickname is "Merrie," and she lives up to it.

Robin is a young white boy who looks like Michael.

Robin Patterson

Robin is Mike and Deanna's youngest child. He really, really likes ducks.

Anthony is a tall, blonde white man with a mustache.

Anthony Caine

Anthony was Elizabeth's high school boyfriend. They grew apart in their late teens when they each moved away to different universities. Anthony married someone else (Thérèse) and had a daughter, Françoise. After that marriage failed, Liz and Anthony decided to give their relationship another try shortly after Liz moved back to Southern Ontario.

Francoise Caine, a young white girl with long, dark hair.

Françoise Caine

Françoise's parents are Anthony and Thérèse Caine. Most people call her Francie, although a few people get away with "Frankie."

Iris, an elderly white woman with short grey hair and glasses.

Iris

Iris is Grandpa Jim's second wife. She and Jim eloped to England together. She is a prize-winning baker specializing in butter tarts.