Family, friends, and swimming students of Kelly Patrick filled the Grey Mountain Room at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre to capacity last Friday afternoon as they gathered to celebrate

the life of the beloved lifeguard and swim instructor.

"It was packed,” Linda Rapp, the city's director of community and recreation services, said in an interview Monday as she recalled some not being able to get into the service due to the huge

crowd.

Since her sudden death earlier this month, Patrick has been remembered for the energy and enthusiasm she brought to her job at the local pool and its predecessor over the last 20 years as well as her ability to remember each of her students long after she had taught them.

Two Facebook pages are dedicated to her.

One focuses on memories many have of the lifeguard while the other calls on the city to name the large pool at the Canada Games Centre in honour of her.

A memorial wall featuring photos and memories of Patrick that had been put up at the pool shortly after her death was taken down and presented to the family on Friday.

"They were overwhelmed,” Rapp said of the family, noting they had not anticipated such a reaction from the community.

As Rapp recalled, Patrick's favourite colour was purple. At last Friday's service, people were invited to write notes on purple paper that were later released by balloon.

Tables inside the Grey Mountain Room were set up with centrepieces that featured fun pictures of Patrick, swim goggles and floaty toys, Rapp said.

Numerous Yukoners have made donations to the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter in Patrick's honour.

Rapp said the city is continuing to look at ideas to honour the late swim instructor.

While there is a call to name the large pool after her, the city will co-ordinate a meeting with Patrick's family members to discuss options.

"That we see as the first step,” she said, noting it's important to have something that best represents Patrick's contribution to the city.

"We'll take some time and look at the ideas,” she said.

Rapp went on to emphasize thanks to members of the entire community who have shown support to Patrick's family since her death.

Some contributed to the memorial display.

Others provided food at the service, donated to the animal shelter and showed their understanding when the pool was closed for the day following Patrick's death so staff could have time to take in the news.