Patricia DUCROS

Patricia (Deeds) Ducros (née McCoshen)
After almost 20 years of living with Alzheimer's, during which she never lost the ability to love life and inspire others in love and grace, Patricia (Deeds) Ducros, (née McCoshen), died at the Grace Manor, on August 15th, 2013, surrounded by her five daughters, their families, her long-term caregivers Maria Mukurasi and Doris Davies, who were as close as family.
Patricia lived a life filled with love, laughter, learning, fun, dedication to others, grace and joy.
She was born to Cleveland McCoshen and Ida Arnot, in 1937 in Capreol, Ontario, and lived in Northern Ontario, (Schreiber and Sudbury), and Sept-Iles, Quebec, before moving to Montreal, where she attended St-Augustine High School and Marionopolis College. She loved the granite, forests, and majesty of the Canadian Shield, and Lake Superior, and would say upon returning to Montreal, after living in Winnipeg, that she never liked to be too far away from the Saint-Lawrence River.
She was an early pioneer in computer programming, and following her graduation, became one of the first women to program computers for IBM. Pat was a lover of music. She also loved poetry which her children read to her during her final hours, and ice cream. But more than anything, she loved people, and had an unequalled gift for compassion, and inspired it in those around her until the end. She was always kind to all she met, and worked at L'Arche, and elsewhere, always seeing the dignity and gifts in everyone. This continued throughout her illness. And all who knew her throughout her last and hardest years noted how 'special' she was. She also maintained her sense of humour until the end.
She loved, taught and nurtured her daughters, but there was much love to share and many of her children's friends, who visited her in her last days still credit her with having navigated them through tough times.
She married Judge Jacques Ducros in 1960 who predeceased her in 1993. She is survived by her five daughters, Francoise (Ian Christie), Susan-Marie (Simon Newell), Genevieve (Steven James), Kateri (Eric Dunne) and Caroline, and 9 grandchildren, Brendan, Tim, Leah, Jamey, and Anna, Molly, Tessa, Ben and Ella and their dads, Peter Smith and Paul Britton. She was predeceased by a brother Arnot (Barney) McCoshen (Hillier) and survived by a brother John McCoshen (Jan Warner) and a sister Cleda (Warren Reeves) and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her closest friend Gloria Rozzi with whom she shared many adventures.
Patricia never failed to see the goodness in all, and was unfailingly positive about life, and the grace that lies in each of us. She touched all who knew her and will continue to live on in the kindness we show to one another.
Amor Omnia Vincit.
The family would like to give special thanks to Maria Mukurasi who cared for her for nearly 8 years, Doris Davies who was with her for 4 years, Lois Brigden, as well as the staff of the Grace Hospital.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 194 Fourth Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 11 a.m. Following the service a reception will be held in the home of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to L'Arche Ottawa (11 Rossland Ave., Nepean, ON K2G 2K2) or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.