PATRICIA MARGARET GRAHAM

GRAHAM, PATRICIA MARGARET 1937 - 2021 On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Patricia's long eleven-year journey through the stages of dementia ended, much to the sad relief of her family and friends, who will always remember her as the vibrant and loving person that she was. Patricia had a long life, living many roles: daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, lifelong friend and Mrs. Graham (sometimes Ma'am) to her students. She was born in Sudbury, the only child of Jim and Flora Ruddy, both deceased. Like many only children, she very early developed a strong sense of self, of independence and resilience, traits which were constant and of great help throughout her life. Pat met her future husband Neil when they were both in high school. They married in their early 20s and had a long, loving and mutually supportive marriage. They had two children, Philip and Elizabeth (deceased 2014). Philip and his wife Leslie in turn had two children, Jordan (Shay) and Jennifer (Aaron), and now there are two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Charlotte, all of whom live in Alberta. Pat was a born teacher who saw life as a series of teachable/learning events. She brought to her teaching her lifelong philosophy of equality and fairness, particularly in her commitment to feminism and social justice. Her secondary teaching career (History, English, Dramatic Arts and Library) was spent in Toronto (Scarborough) at West Hill Collegiate Institute, Laurier Collegiate Institute, and Bethune Collegiate Institute. The forty summers spent at the family cottage on Crane Lake, near Parry Sound, were Pat's most favourite time, first with the children and then grandchildren and with an ever-changing entourage of pets. She always said she felt most at home among the rocks, water and trees. She loved spending time swimming, boating, reading (all of Harry Potter books) with the grandchildren, family games and puzzles and excursions to the Parry Sound Festival of the Sound. Pat always had a strong spiritual and emotional connection to and support for the arts. She had a lifelong interest in music, dance, visual arts and theatre. Each season she enjoyed performances by the Canadian Opera, National Ballet, Stratford, Toronto theatres and visits to the AGO and the ROM. She loved to travel: Egypt, England, France, Italy. But it was in Cuba where her interest in all the arts was fully encompassed - the Cuban music, the street art, the art deco architecture, the performances of the famous Cuban National Ballet and the atmosphere when walking the streets of Havana. There were three trips to Cuba, and each time she came home with more Cuban art and Cuban music for viewing, listening and dancing. Although Pat's final years at True Davidson Acres were very confining, her care by the staff on 3 West was always superlative. While her communication was largely reduced to one sentence, it was a good one. She said "I love you" to all her caregivers and to anyone who came into her room or whom she passed in her wheelchair. And the answer from each staff member was always "I love you too". And so the family sends its heartfelt "Thank You" to all the TDA staff. The family is particularly grateful to Tina, Rozelyn and Chona, who, over the years, provided love, personal care to Pat and feedback to the family, particularly during non-visiting Covid times. There will be a family celebration of Pat's life at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at a future time. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or Sunnybrook Foundation: Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.etouch.ca