Patricia SARJEANT

Patricia Sarjeant, beloved wife, mother, sister, friend, journalist and counsellor, died on May 16, 2024, peacefully at Shanty Bay. According to her wishes, her life ended in the home where she grew up and with her husband, Rudy Luukko, at her side, holding her hand. Her bedroom window looked out over the lakeshore that she and Rudy had enjoyed for many years and where they were wed in 1983. Patricia is survived by her son, Kevin Sarjeant (Sarah Antle-Moors) of Toronto; daughter, Laura Reeves (Tyler Austin) of McDonough, Georgia; her grandson, James; and sister, Mary Jane Sarjeant (Ron McClean) of Shanty Bay. Grateful for her friendship is her dear friend, Jean Lillie of Toronto. Born in Barrie to Bob and Beth Sarjeant in December 1953, Patricia shared her family's love of the water and ski slopes, and played flute with her touring Barrie High School band. After graduating with a Queen's BA, and a master's in journalism from Western, Patricia travelled in Europe and worked on an Israeli kibbutz. Patricia joined the Regina Leader-Post in 1979, where she met fellow reporter, Rudy. Love led to marriage, and then jobs at the Calgary Herald before returning to their home province and moving to Toronto in 1986. After working at Canadian Press, Patricia found a greater calling for personal and professional growth and her exceptional ability to connect with people on a deep emotional level. Through private and college courses, Patricia became a counsellor specializing in grief and bereavement. She managed a hospice that operated out of Sunnybrook Hospital, providing at-home visits. Patricia became a mother when Kevin arrived in September 1997, and then Laura 13 months later, both via adoption. Patricia devoted herself to provide the best possible upbringing for her children, who deeply appreciate what a wonderful mother she was. Having helped the terminally ill, Patricia was herself diagnosed in March 2019 with glioblastoma, typically fatal in less than 18 months. With her relentless devotion to a healthy lifestyle, consultations with health professionals, and two brain surgeries and follow-up treatment at Sunnybrook, Patricia beat the odds by living for more than five years. Special thanks to Maki of North Simcoe Muskoka support services; personal support workers, Maria and Liz of AGTA; Bayshore nurse, Vahid (Ed); and palliative doctor, Jacky Lai. A celebration of Patricia's life will be held this summer.